Date: 2005-04-26
From: Laurel Creek Campsite

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: broken clouds

Miles hiked today : 21.418.9 AT miles + 2.5 roadwalk milesI woke up this morning at 6:45 a.m. and was on the trail at 7:50 a.m. I had 6.9 miles to cover to reach Highway 52, which leads into Bland. When I covered the first 2.0 miles in just under 45 minutes, I was fairly pleased. I covered the next 2.8 miles in an hour, arriving at 9:35 a.m. When I arrived at USFS Road 282 at 10:00 a.m., there was a 5 gallon water cache waiting. I didn't need any water, but thought it was nice that somebody took the time to provide for hikers.15 minutes later, I arrived at Highway 52. It didn't appear to be a very busy road, so I began walking down the hill toward Bland. Partway there, I began to question whether I was going the correct way, though I had little choice but to keep walking. During the 2.5 mile roadwalk, I was passed by 8 cars, none of which would stop to pick me up. I finally reached the post office in Bland at 11:15 a.m., 15 minutes before it was scheduled to close for lunch. I picked up my maildrop and also my right hand glove, which I'd sent home in Hot Springs when I thought I'd lost the left hand glove. It would have been nice to have a matching pair in the snowy, cold weather during the last couple days, but at least I have a matching pair now. I had lunch at the restaurant in the Citgo gas station and was soon joined by Frenchie, Gravity, Danger, and Spoonie Luv. Frenchie had to do the roadwalk as well, though the others were able to hitch in. While paying for lunch, a woman with a rat-tail/buzzcut and the word "smooth" tattooed on her left hand stood in line blowing smoke in my face. As I walked away, I heard her asking for one of the scratch-off lottery tickets. I headed to the grocery store to buy snacks, fruit, cheese, and chocolate milk.I sat down in front of the grocery store to pack my foodbag, when a small sports utility vehicle pulled up. The driver was the smoking woman from the Citgo and she asked Frenchie and I whether we needed a ride. We weren't quite ready to go, but after the roadwalk earlier, we weren't going to pass up a ride out of town. Frenchie and I squeezed in the back with our packs and had little room to move. I found out her name was Sharon and also learned that she was an unsafe driver, as she swerved across the center line on a number of curves.2.5 miles up the hill, we unloaded our gear and were getting ready to leave when "Smooth Sharon" told us that she needed to be paid. What?! I was somewhat shocked at her audacity and told her that I didn't have any money to give her. She said, "I've got to eat!" I offered her some of the food that I'd just purchased, though she declined. Now I'm curious about the nutritional content of her cigarettes and lottery tickets.There was another hiker at the trailhead and I cautioned him that she wanted money for a ride into town. Smooth Sharon asked me whether that hiker was going to help with our dilemma. "What dilemma? I'm at the trailhead with my pack and I'm ready to hike!" I thought to myself. I told Smooth Sharon that the hiker wasn't in a position to help us. I took her telephone number and told her I'd give it to any hikers looking for a ride into Bland. It's very unlikely, however, that I will encounter any as I journey further North.Back on the trail at 1:15 p.m., it was a downhill roadwalk over 0.8 miles before a hot, steep 1.5 mile climb to the sidetrail to Helveys Mill Shelter. With a pack full of new food, the climb had been tough. Rather than hike 0.6 mile roundtrip to the shelter for a rest break, I sat at the trail intersection for 15 minutes before continuing on at 2:30 p.m.I had 9.8 miles to go to reach the next shelter and figured I'd arrive sometime around 7:30 p.m. I didn't have many landmarks to gauge my distance by and kept moving, except for a short 10 minute break at 3:30 p.m. when I had to stop to adjust my socks and boots.When I arrived at VA611 at 5:15 p.m., I was pleasantly surprised, as it meant I only had 3.1 miles to go. I quickly covered that distance, arriving at Jenny Knob Shelter at 6:20 p.m.Rain had been lightly sprinkling since 6:00 p.m. and picked up a bit as I sat in the shelter, though it didn't last long. If it hadn't been raining upon my arrival, I would have pushed on for another 1.1 miles to a campsite just up the trail. As it is, I'm content to eat my dinner here and sleep in the shelter. Bedtime at 9:30 p.m.