Date: 2014-04-15
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins, VA (Relax Inn)
Miles today: 22.2

Refusing to be forgotten, the Appalachian winter resurfaced today to visit us thru-hikers. As I hiked this morning in warm, drizzly temperatures, a cold wind began sweeping over the ridge. Within 30 minutes, temperatures had dropped 20 degrees; similarly as the temperatures dropped, my legs found new invigoration, and I covered eleven miles in less than three hours. The human body can do amazing things when properly motivated.After completing these eleven miles, I arrived at Mount Rogers Visitors¢ Center, where I soon caught a ride into Marion (the shuttle into town was only $.50, which still blows my mind). There I reunited with Red, Birdman, Hawk and Mumbles, who were dining at the Four Seasons Caf© downtown. I had a second breakfast myself, downing enough French toast, bacon, cupcakes, and coffee for two people. We all laughed at how fickle the weather was ¢ chances are that the temperatures will be back in the 70¢s by Friday.Despite the weather, the other four hikers were anxious to get in some miles today, as they had stayed at the shelter just outside of Marion. Since the shuttle wouldn¢t return for another three hours, we decided to hitchhike back to the AT. Yet before we actually made it back to the main road, we accidentally stumbled into a taxi parking lot; when the owner saw we were hikers, he offered to shuttle us back at a reduced rate. ¢You boys might freeze something off waiting for a ride today,¢ he said. We gladly accepted his offer and found ourselves back at the trailhead within 15 minutes.Our goal for the day was an additional 11 miles away; the Relax Inn located in Atkins, VA. With the forecast warning of temperatures in the low 20¢s, we decided that treating ourselves to a roof and central heating was worth the price of admission.That was before the sleet and snow arrived.Within 30 minutes of starting our hike, we found ourselves in a small blizzard. High winds and wintery precipitation assaulted us from every angle, coating us in a layer of ice. This weather lasted for most of the hike, yet with the amount of rain gear I had on, I was sweating all over. Well, aside from my beard, anyway. That was covered in ice.By the time we reached Atkins, the snow had slowed and the winds had calmed slightly, making for a pleasant hike over boardwalks, through meadows, and by a beautiful old schoolhouse. I feel as though I am getting a minor history lesson of the area, as so many of the buildings in the area reflect the charm of a simpler time, when life was focused around farming and family instead of the daily commute and constant distractions.We finally arrived in Atkins at around 4:00 PM and checked into the Relax Inn. The hotel is a dump, but we weren¢t too picky as long as the sheets were clean and the heater worked. All five of us crammed into one small room, making for a tight, stinky squeeze. Soon we raided the only restaurant within walking distance - The Barn ¢ along with a dozen other hikers. Apparently hiker season somehow caught them off guard, as there were only two people working in the whole restaurant. That meant a long wait for our food, but I luckily snagged some chips from a hiker box earlier, making for a small appetizer to hold us over until actual dinner arrived.I¢m back in the room now, enjoying some box wine that Hawk packed in from Marion. Even when trapped by the weather in a not-so-appealing environment, all of us are in high spirits. Despite the cold streak, hiking in Virginia has been beautiful and, so far, a little easier on the knees. Here¢s hoping that trend continues in the coming weeks.