Date: 2005-05-27
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 11.9

We had another surprise last night. Around 11:00(yes, we were still awake)we saw two headlamps coming down the trail. It was Serenity and Bassline. They did the last 10 miles as a night hike which was impressive because Serenity doesn't like night hiking. They told us that Touk and Stilts were not far behind but they were going to camp at the river. I had a hard time sleeping last night so I was up and packed by 5:30. I didn't feel like hanging around so I started hiking. The climb took me up to Dragon's Tooth. This place is pretty cool. From all accounts we have heard this little stretch is some of what we will encounter in the Whites. I made it to the begining of Dragon's Tooth in time to see the sunrise so I guess that was one good thing about leaving early. I hung out around the rocks for awhile and then headed down the mountain. At the road I turned left and went to the Catawba store. Since I was up so early I got there real early so I used the time to dry out my sleeping bag and thermarest. Stores that are this close to the trail understand us. They know we have been in the hills and they probably put up with a bit more from us "temporary" vagrants than others. Not to mention we do spend money in the store! I was sitting outside, with my back against the wall, when the lady at the store looks out and says, "One of these days we"ll put a picnic table out there for you hikers". I laughed and told her the wall was plenty good for me. I continued to read and relax when Bassline wandered over. I asked him what time it was and he said it was around 1:00. I was shocked. I didn't realize it was that late. I had been chilling at the store for three and a half hours. Bassline joined me against the wall. He said the rest of the group was moving down the mountain. I figured it was finally time to do the other six miles for the day so I told him I would see him at The Homeplace later. Just as I got to the trailhead Free, Serenity, and Gypsy stepped onto the road. Again, we said we would see each other a dinner. I don't know why I was expecting an easy six. Somehow my mind had set itself for a nice leisurely walk. Talk about a rude awakening. Once more, it was up, down, up, level, down, level, up. For the last 20 some odd miles we have encountered this type of terrain. Touk summed it up when she said that the last 13 miles were some of the roughest she's done in awhile! I did get to the road crossing and from there headed down the road to Catawba. It was a mile walk but there was no way to hitch that section. There was nowhere for a car to stop or pullover. No big deal. It was a nice afternoon and food was waiting. I walked up the driveway to The Homeplace, which, is located in a large farmhouse on an expansive, wooden fenced, grassy lot, complete with a pond and three gazebos. Sitting on the porch was Scholar. I laughed out loud when I saw her. She keeps appearing in different spots. She said she skipped up to here because she was going to do Dragon's Tooth next week with her father. Eventually everyone else made it in and we went in for dinner. And what a dinner it was, at least to a bunch of hungry hikers who haven't seen real food in quite some time. We had mashed potatoes, green beans, fried chicken, roast beef, biscuts, cole slaw, a pasta dish and a cobbler dessert. All this and all you can eat. Stilts later said he thought he ate a chicken and a half! The restaurant catered to all. There were many types os dress, from casual to decked out. Then there was us. Bandanas, shorts, sweaty shirts, and boots. The regulars knew we were hikers because they talked to us and asked us questions. Others looked at us like, "What is this group of homeless people doing here". None the less, the owners treated us like any other customer and they went the extra mile by letting us camp in the backyard. Thanks for your hospitality! We sat on the porch, waiting for all the customers to leave before we set up. As one group left we heard one of the girls walking by say, "That's what I want to do next, be a hiker". Almost like it was a fashion statement. This girl looked like she just stepped out of a magazine ad. We all glanced at one another and Stilts commented that she should come put his pack on and see what she thought after that! Eventually everyone left and we set up. Pretty soon most of the crew went to bed except for Gypsy and I. We sat up till 11:00 talking. It was a good talk and I came to respect her more than I already did. Gypsy comes across all sweet and innocent but I pity the man that takes this woman for granted! She has a darn good head on her shoulders. As the conversation was winding down a luna moth came to visit. This was a big one and we quickly grabbed our cameras to get a shot of it when he landed, which we did. After that it was off to bed.