Date: 2009-06-26
From: US 501/VA 130/Glasgow, VA

To: US 60/Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 21.8

So, remember how I was saying about how trains wouldn¢t come through a small town like Glasgow? Well, sure enough, one rolled through at 2 am ¢ loud as ever. I awoke to the vibration of the ground and the blaring of the horn. When the train turned the corner, this bright light shone right onto my face and I tried to hunker down to ensure that the conductor wouldn¢t see me. I was only a few feet away from the tracks, so I¢m pretty sure that he did see me. Then, for the next 20 minutes, the train laboriously and very slowly passed by. I could hear every single creak and crank of the metal of the train. It kind of freaked me out, but I just took a few breaths, laid my head back down and waited until the monster passed by. Once the train passed by, I packed up my belongings and headed off to the trail. It was a bit crazy, but I had to make it to Buena Vista, VA by early afternoon in order to update my blog on the computer. I was many days behind and I just wanted to knock them out quite quickly so that I could concentrate on my hiking. I somehow managed to get a hitch in the back of a pickup truck (not the best to do at 3 am) and arrived at the trailhead by 3 am. I reached Bluff Mountain by 7 am. I was surprised at how little water there was between Johns Hollow Shelter and the Punchbowl Mountain Crossing. I was so damn thirsty when I arrived at the latter. Not surprisingly, since I started the day so early in the morning, I didn¢t see a single person the entire day. I arrived at the US 60 highway crossing at 12:30 pm and managed to get a hitch by Larry from Buena Vista in his big ol¢ Ford truck. He was a retired veteran and was drinking a large 22 oz. Bud Light when he picked me up. I just went along for the ride. We made some short talk and I could smell the alcohol on his breath. He said that, each morning, he only has two drinks, but I¢m not sure if I could believe it. When I arrived into Buena Vista, I immediately went to the library and began updating the Trail Journals site. While I was leaving, I met a different Ninja and Jen, who had spent a few hours in the library as well. Ninja was telling me that he had to get a money order to take care of some business with the federal government. He explained a little bit, but didn¢t elaborate too extensively. Hungry as ever, I hitched a ride from Legs, who had hiked the trail back in the 90¢s, to the Subway Restaurant, where I gouged on a subway sandwich. It was great to get out of the summer heat and into the cool air conditioning. I ended up staying there for about four hours, but I also ran across the street to the gas station to pick up an ice cream bar and a newspaper to keep me occupied. Since I had a heavy pack on, I didn¢t want to have to lug it all around with me everywhere I went. When darkness descended, my original intention was to hike to the other side of town in order to camp at the Glen Maury Campgrounds. I had walked for about 1.5 miles and still hadn¢t arrived there, so I set up camp underneath a baseball underpath close to the local high school. Cars were whizzing by and everyone was out partying, as it was a Friday evening and the summertime. But, I closed my eyes and, surprisingly, fell asleep within an hour or so. I just didn¢t want to have to pay for a hotel, so I had to stealth camp it again. I couldn¢t help but feel somewhat homeless, but I can¢t even imagine what it is like to really know that you don¢t have a home or can¢t find food day in and day out. The Appalachian Trail and the experiences on the trail have been teaching me all about life humility and empathy for those who might be less fortunate. I¢m grateful for everything that I have. I don¢t intend to get philosophical, but I wanted to write this so that, when I finish up, I can return and reflect on my feelings at this moment in time.