Date: 2015-04-29
From: Daleville

To: U.S. 250
Miles today: 133.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 75 - 4/22 - Plenty of "ups" and windy. Camped next to Blue Ridge Parkway. If you've never driven the BRP, you should. No 18-wheelers. No high speeds (45 mph). Great views. Just watch out for motorcycles and bicycles. Try it when you're not in a hurry to get somewhere. Got some trail magic from a couple at the turn-out that were on their way to Massachusetts.Day 76 - 4/23 - Last night was very windy and cold. Shouldn't have sent home cold weather stuff so soon! Ended day at Bryant Ridge Shelter. Very nice and roomy.Day 77 - 4/24 - Tough climb up Floyd Mountain early. Camped after a 21+ miler. Lined up shuttle for resupply and slackpack tomorrow.Day 78 - 4/25 - Met Gary at footbridge and he took us into Glasgow for resupply, then back to the trail. Hiking without pack was nice, especially in wind and cold. Had a little sleet up at the Ottie Cline Powell Memorial. Really wished I'd had my gloves! Met Gary at 795.5 and picked up packs. He even had a coffee for Longhorn and a hot chocolate for me. Thanks Gary! We hiked some more and then camped.Day 79 - 4/26 - Felt bad from the start. Probably dehydrated from a stretch with little water yesterday (eleven miles on a half liter of water). Made it to U.S. 60 and got a hitch from hiker/Washington Caps fan Two Chains in his Jeep. Got a hotel and ate a couple of good meals in Buena Vista. Saw a few other hikers. Dreamt that Snowball (one of our four dogs back in Texas) chewed my backpack to shreds on our first night home from the hike.Day 80 - 4/27 - Got a quick breakfast at Hardees. Got a hitch back out to the trail with a Park Ranger. A nearly three mile hike up Bald Knob got us off to a slow start, but we made great time after that. Met a kid who had just gotten on the trail. He must have been around 18. Not a real big guy, but he was hauling a pretty heavy pack. Started calling him Heavy Duty (H-D). He hiked a while with us, but struggled a bit. Told us to go on after a while, as he was staying in a shelter. We camped later. Hope he does okay. I'm sure other hikers will help him out and am hoping we'll see him in Waynesboro.Day 81 - 4/28 - Tough climbing day. Feet getting sore. Large group camping near Maupin Field Shelter, so we hiked on. Some trail magic at Reeds Gap (candy). Camped near BRP.Day 82 - 4/29 - Longhorn and I were pretty sore from yesterday, but still made good time today. Got to U.S. 250 by 3:30 and as we were about to hitch in, a trail angel dropping off two guys had us jump in. Took us to Wal-Mart, then picked us up and took us to the hotel. Showed us around downtown in between, so we'd know where library, post office, Chinese buffet, etc. were. I offered a donation but our driver refused. When I insisted, she told me she'd give it to the local animal shelter for us. Great lady!Day 83 - 4/30 - NostraButton predicts a ZERO day in Waynesboro.Notes:Where is that "flatter" Virginia I've heard about? We've had some tough climbs in this state!The Green Tunnel is starting to green up right before our eyes. Plenty of flowers as well. Purple, pink, white, yeller, and red flowers are keeping the bees and butterflies busy.Also starting to see some of that danged poisonous ivy.Saw a sign today that said "overlook", so I went right back to hiking...Looking forward to offers of slackpacking in MA and NH. We will get in touch when we get closer!Lion King, shorts have a built-in belt. When new, I couldn't fit in them even with it as loose as it'd go. Now, it seems like a have to tighten it a little every day or two. Nice "problem" to have!