Date: 2008-05-11
From: Tenting on top of Brushy Mtn, VA

To: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 6am and was planning on just packing up and walking to U.S. 52, then hitching a ride into town.....but, since I now have data service on my cell phone again, I checked the animated radar and saw rain was just about ready to hit me.I made coffee. :-)I ate a couple Poptarts and had a few nuts, slowly sipping my 13.8 ounces of Sumpknocker Blend Coffee.I sure am going to miss having my Stumpknocker's Blend Coffee each morning, but I will resume that ritual when I'm done with this walk. :-)It sprinkled some, let up a couple times, then sprinkled some more, so I decided to go ahead and pack up and walk the short way to U.S. 52.I was packed and walking at 7:25am. It was lightly sprinkling and a cool wind blowing anywhere from about 10mph on up to 25mph.I was glad to have my raincoat on for a windbreak.I ran into Foot Machine who is walking the Trail his own way. He started his walk at Lehigh Gap, PA and is walking south for now.I always love this Trail heading into Bland from the south. It is mostly sidehill trail and a very easy 5 mile walk.I also really have to thank George and Ginny Fisher who always leave trailmagic for the hikers walking through this area.They leave about 6 or 7 gallons of water, a 7 day weather report, AND a garbage bag....and it's here everytime I walk through.Thanks soooooo much George and Ginny!!!!I got to U.S. 52 and the cold wind was whipping up through the area and the skies were looking threatening. I was hoping to get a quick ride, but there was only a car every 5 minutes or so going my way.I got a ride with the 3rd truck!It was a local named Tony and he was heading for the grocery, but asked where I was heading.I told him that I was going to the general store if the grill was open on Sunday.Tony pulled into the general store and said he'd check....normally they cook on Sunday, but the cook didn't show up today.Tony asked where I was going now and I said I guess I would just walk out by the interstate and eat at the Dairy Queen....Tony drove me there!That's one of the greatest things of walking.....you meet the best people in the world!I told Tony to come on in and I bought him breakfast and we got to talk longer.The bad part of the whole thing was that this was one of the worst breakfasts I've had.....my Poptart tasted better this morning.Tony left and a hiker came in and ordered some stuff. It was AquaMaria!I thought they were two days ahead of me. She said they came in late yesterday.I walked across the street with her, checked into the motel, then went to her room and saw Tail Gait, Canuck and Mango.We spent some time catching up, and then I went to my room and actually turned the heat on just to take the chill off.I was sitting in my room when I got a knock on my door. It was V8 and Auntie Mame.I hadn't met them before, but I remembered V8 had signed my guestbook.It was great meeting them!I remembered that I forgot to take their picture. :-) I went and knocked on their door and got their picture for my journal.That's when they mentioned The General was in the room next to them.The General is a friend that hiked the Trail in '04, then spent 3 years in Bagdad and is now back walking the Trail again. It was great seeing him!The 4 of us walked down to the Subway for dinner....in the rain. :-)Blues Traveler is also here and I met another nobo named Mike.I was glad I walked a little extra yesterday and got in early today. Blues Traveler said he got caught in the squall that came through.....hail and all.I also want remind everyone, along with my daily journal entry, I usually send in 5 or 6 pictures of the day.Another special thanks to George and Ginny Fisher for all the help they give hikers in this area.....THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! :-)Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)