Date: 2004-05-24
From: VA. Hwy 621, Craig Creek

To: Four Pines Hostel, Catawba, Va.
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day #71 "The journey is the reward." ~Tao saying Events I've forgot to mention in the last few days -May 22, after a particularly rough climb, in heat and humidity, a Trail Angel by the name of Super Dave from Blacksburg had cold drinks waiting in a cooler for hikers. What made this special was the location. The cooler was located at Va. Highway 601, the halfway point of the climb. May 23, after my pucker factor with the bear encounter, the trail meandered through rolling pastured farm land. North of Sinkng Creek, I came upon The Keffer Oak, a huge white oak tree 18 feet in circumference and over 300 years old. Considering its location, I sat for a long time pondering the history this tree must have witnessed. Just before leaving camp, Beatbox walked in. He was a day behind and got up early to catch us. Beatbox wanted to talk and asked if we could hike together. We had a good talk and by the time it was over were up a steep ascent and standing at the Audie Murphy Memorial. This memorial is a tribute to a great American World War II hero, who later became a movie actor. In 1971 his plane crashed near this site. We paid our respects and moved on a fairly level and non-rocky trail. A true pleasure to walk on after some of the roughest trails I have been on. Just before our climb up to Dragon's Tooth, Bear Tracks caught up to Beatbox and I. The three of us climbed the Dragon's Tooth, elevation 3020 ft., for a spectacular view giving a sensation of floating above the valley. Wooly and Mountain Dew (two young hikers Lady Kritter met during her Trail Magic episodes) were also there. The tooth is a slender, rock spire jetting out of a cliff in the shape of a pointed tooth. There were two high points that could be climbed that contained a bowl shape depression great for sitting. The highest one, located at the top of the tooth was a feat that put one in the hands of the Great Spirit to reach successfully. The young hikers had the balance and energy to trust their trek up or just had youth on their side not fearing possible outcomes. Since I was twice their age, I went only half way up and got all the adrenaline rush I needed. It was from these two vantage points we floated over the valley. From the overlook named Devil's Seat and the vista called Viewpoint Rock, we could see an approaching thunder storm heading our way. We had to beat this storm to hike over an exposed knife-edge ridge called Rawies Rest. One, because of the lightning strikes and two, did NOT want to walk the edge on slippery wet rock. The storm passed south of us with a light drizzle providing great views of lightning bolts down into the valley. We came down the mountain thirsty and hungry from an inspiring day. Found a convenience store off the trail to satisfy our needs. There I ran into K-less who I had not seen since Miss Janet's in Tenn. He told us of a hostel nearby that was great. K-less also told me that Boo Boo just left the hostel (he will be less than a day away). Initially, we were going to by-pass the hostel, as always plans change. I wanted a shower and to catch up with the adventures of K-less. We all (Bear Tracks, Beatbox, Jester and I) agreed to spend the night at the Four Pines Hostel south of Catawba.