Date: 2009-05-26
From: War Spur Shelter

To: VA 613 Salt Sulpher Turnpike
Miles today: 5.1

It rained all night, quite hard at times. We were all moving slow this morning as we tried to deal with the rain and wet gear from yesterday. My energy levels had been diminising with each day and I'm not sure if it was because of a lack of good sleep or there was another problem. I didn't sleep well again last night. The ribs were sore and the rain and miserable weather tended to bring out all my other little aches and pains especially in my feet. I made terribly slow progress this morning. I was lethargic and my body was trying to tell me something through various pain sites. I tried my cell phone to coordinate for a ride somewhere ahead but there was no coverage. There was a forest service road a little ahead and I came to the conclusion that I would have to try and get off the trail at that point. I was hoping there would be some traffic there. I had hiked all morning and had made it a grand total of five miles. Not quite a mile an hour, well below my normal rate. As luck would have it a car was approaching very slowly as I got to the road. I literally ran out in front of it and caused it to stop. A middle aged couple from Roanoke, VA were siteseeing and quite surprised to see me in front of their car. I explained that I needed to get off the trail for medical reasons and was there any way they could drive me to someplace with cell phone coverage. They graciously told me to get in and drove me six miles back down the road to a resort called Mountain Lake Resort. It is where the movie Dirty Dancing had been flmed. Very beautiful setting and a huge stone Hotel greeted me as I got out of their car. I thanked them very much and watched them continue on their way. There was cell coverage and I called the Outfitter in Daleville to inquire about a ride back to town. They would come and pick me up but couldn't leave for an hour when another person came into work and then an hour of driving to get there. Someone would pick me up at 3:00 as it was then 1:00. I went into the mens room and dried off (my towel) and put on my dry town clothes. Still it was only a pair of shorts and t shirt. Others I saw were dressed considerably better. The worse thing that could happen was they could kick me out, I still had food in my pack. I went into the restaurant and was seated with a very nice view of the lake. Had a cheese burger, fries, and a beer. Once I ate I went back to the entry area where I had left my gear and waited for my ride to arrive.I had time to reflect on where I was and wondered if my hike was over permanetly or only temporarily. I really felt that if I had allowed myself to be driven unplanned off the trail that I was probably off the trail for quite a while, but I was just not ready to conceed to that yet.I got to Daleville and checked into the Howard Johnson Motor Lodge and began the drying out process inside the room. Got a shower and looked around to get an idea of the town and surrounding area. A short walk away was the best strip mall I had seen on the trail to date. Food Lion for groceries, Pharmacy for vitamin I and other necessities like bandaids, the outfitter that gave me the ride, and an ABC store for additional painkillers. It was a great place to get to on the trail. I called Flash and told him of my situation and asked him if he would map out a way home for me if I made that decision. He called back in a short while and gave me some options. I told him I didn't know if or when I would exercise any of the options he gave me. Eventually I had Mexican for dinner and went to bed early. I wasn't ready, or in the mood, to make any decisions tonight. I wanted to see what the next day would bring. My desire to hike was still there though, I just didn't know if my body would cooperate. Took Vitamin I and whatever else I had for pain and that would help me sleep.See you on the trail.Nice Lenses