Date: 2004-06-04
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

A few miles into today's hike, I come across a sign posted on a tree.   "Hiker Notice. Warning!! You are about to enter THE ROLLER COASTER!! Etc, etc...see you at the Blackburn Trail Center (if you survive)."   The "Roller Coaster," is a section of trail 13.5 miles long in which they manage to squeeze in 10 ups and 10 downs...and no nice views to speak of. It's not that the trail maintainers are malicious (I'm finally willing to believe that they're not.) It's this way because, as the AT Thru-hiker's Companion states, "The Virginia corridor is narrow here, leaving Trail crews very little choice other than to route the path up and over each of these viewless ridges."   I'm a LITTLE concerned that there is no height-stick below the sign to make sure I'm tall enough to ride, but I'm just going to risk it.   After my first ascent and approaching my first down, I'm temping to lift my arms up and scream as I run down the trail. I don't really want to risk hurting myself though and I'm sure it would get old quickly. Also, okay I'll admit it, I'd be embarassed if someone came hiking in the other direction and caught me acting 12.   The Roller Coaster isn't as bad as it was made out to be. Sure, there are lots of ups and downs and you don't see much, but it could've been a lot worse. I'm glad it wasn't.   I stop at Bears Den Hostel, right on the trail, just to check the place out. When I see that they sell Ben & Jerry's, I obviously buy a pint and take a break to consume it. This is also the last time I see Sweet Cheeks and I'm able to say goodbye to her. Her hike is done.   I hike on and smile when I see another sign, "Welcome to West Virginia."   The trail will dart in and out of Virginia/West Virginia today, and I won't be leaving Virginia for good until tomorrow, but it's nice to know that, after 7 weeks and over 500 miles in the same state, I have finally touched a new one. State #5.   I hike the last few miles quickly so that I make it on time to dinner. The place I am staying tonight, the Blackburn Trail Center, has free bunks for hikers and asks for only a small donation if you would like dinner. Bill & Sarah, the two staff members living at Blackburn for the summer, prepare a dinner of spaghetti and garlic bread and, for dessert, a brownie sundae. It is well worth the small donation.   I look at the register to see how long ago others had hiked through. Tinder has written, "On to Harper's Ferry tomorrow where I'm off the trail for this year..."   I hadn't realized Tinder was leaving. We had exchanged numbers in case we didn't see each other again and so, from the pay phone on the porch, I give him a call. He is already home in Illinois and happy with his decision. He just felt he was done.   My friends JT and Shawn, along with JT's family, are in Harper's Ferry by now awaiting my arrival. I let them know that I just wasn't able to make enough mileage to get there in time, but I will be there tomorrow. No matter what, I will be hiking into Harper's Ferry, West Virgina, considered to be the "psychological halfway mark" of the Appalachian Trail, tomorrow!