Date: 2017-05-21
From: Mount Rogers Visitor's Center/Marion/Damascus

To: Chatfield Shelter 
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: overcast clouds

5/21Mount Rogers Visitor's Center toChatfield ShelterMiles: 6.8Total miles:  539.4I got the best sleep of my stay at the hostel last night and did not wake up until 6:15. There was an unfortunate incident that happened this morning that served to remind me that the real world does not go away just because you are on the trail. There was a couple staying in the same bunk room that I was in that became involved in a domestic dispute this morning. Apparently, they had met online and decided to hike the trail together. I'm unsure of the details, but the dispute involved the ownership of a pack. Things became rather heated but did not cross the line to violence. The situation seemed pretty well sorted out by the time the police arrived, and I believe the woman has decided to return home. I guess it's important to remember that we bring who we are to the trail and don't magically become another person because we decide to walk a long way.  It is ironic that such an incident would occur at the place where most people would consider the least likely at Trail Days to encounter such problems. Tent City is rightfully considered the wildest venue during Trail Days, but the problems of the world can crop up anywhere. Fortunately, there seems to be no harm done in this morning's altercation. After I packed up, I headed over to meet Uncle Puck for breakfast. A very nice woman named Vera accompanied us, and gave us a ride. Mojo's Restaurant is highly recommended by this hiker to anyone who visits Damascus. After breakfast, we met up with Juan Gone and caught our shuttle back to Marion.  We resupplied at Wal-Mart and were typical hiker trash as we sorted through our food, repacking it and discarding the wrappers and containers. We were polite, and everyone who had to walk around us seemed very understanding. I'm sure it's nothing new to them. We then headed to Subway for lunch, and I also bought two McDonald's cheeseburgers to tote with me for supper tonight. Bea from the taxi company showed up immediately after we called her to take us back to the Mount Rogers Visitor's Center, where we got back on the trail. Bea was the only taxi driver to shuttle us this weekend, and the cost was less than a shuttle service would have been. She is a great conversationalist and filled us in on some interesting local history. We were back on the trail by 1:00. It's easy to see how towns can draw you in, since it took awhile to feel natural hiking again. As it was, I only did 6.8 miles today, but at least I am back on the trail. The rain began a bit before 2:00, and as I write this in my tent at 7:00, shows no sign of abating. In fact, it is steadily worsening.  There was a wet kind of beauty in the woods today. The rhododendron are heavy in bloom and add beautiful color. The rain did slacken enough for me to take a photo of a view of Walker Mountain, which I should summit tomorrow. We also encountered a new definition of "green tunnel" today, as the undergrowth now often grows right up to the trail so you are brushing against it on both sides. Add a steady rain, and you now have a new way of getting even wetter. After talking with the people from the American Chestnut Foundation, I have started looking for the trees.  I saw numerous ones, but the largest was about one inch in diameter. Sadly, once they get any bigger, the blight kills the sprout. They are easily identified by the sharp points on their leaves.  The Chinese Chestnut, which is immune to the blight, has rounded points.  It will be so wonderful if they are successful at creating a hybrid, so the American Chestnut (with a little help from its Chinese cousin) can thrive again.  I made it in good time to the Chatfield Shelter and decided to call it a day even though I got here just a bit past 4:30. Uncle Puck and Juan Gone made the same choice, as did Gravity and Downhill. Uncle Puck and Juan Gone opted to stay in the shelter, while Gravity, Downhill, and I pitched tents. Later, Lost and River arrived and added to the crowd in the shelter. I pitched my tent, ate my cheeseburgers and some other food (if I eat it, I don't have to carry it!), and finished my other camp chores. Although it was only 6:30 by the time I was done, I decided to go to bed. There is something very relaxing about being all warm and dry in your tent while the rain falls on the roof. It is supposed to continue to rain for the next several days.  I'm not sure how far I will hike tomorrow. How I feel and the weather conditions will largely determine that.  I have plenty of food and supplies to get me to my next resupply point in Bland, Virginia, so I don't have to feel in any big hurry to get there. Time will tell.