Date: 2004-05-08
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA (VA 683, US 11, I-81) Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early even though I had a short day planned. A few early risers were heading out farther, the long legged boys and their 20 some odd miles day. I got out by eight; the day was warm and sunny. The weather forecast was for 30% chance of rain and cloudy.I was figuring the rain would probalbly hit in the afternoon, so I high tailed out. Only to realize after 15 minutes I forgot my socks that I had rinsed out last night. The nice thing about having to turn around today was that Elle's sister's family had come in during the night. The park gate was already locked when they got in so they had parked outside the gate. In the morning they were fixing bacon and eggs by the side of the road. After retrieving my socks, El talked me into a couple strips of bacon. I just love the Virginia hill. They just roll up and roll down. Can't complain about a 500 feet elevation change over three miles.   The walk started through the woods. The MayApples here are huge compared to what I had seen in Tennessee. The poison ivy is lush and huge also. Makes them easier to see and identify. The best part of the walk was lunch time when I got to Chatfield shelter around 1130. Dingle was sitting there. He is doing the stretch from Atkins to Damascus southbound to get back to town for Trail Days. I sat with him and caught up with him. The news is good. CuppaJoe is back on the trail. Sweetleaf is back on the trail. Skirt's pack is 20 pounds lighter. We chatted for about half an hour.   Then off to do my last five miles.This stretch was mostly walking through fields. The smell of Virginia Creeper overpowering. Grasses as tall as my knees. The sun blazing down.   Got to the interchange where some of us agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen before getting a room. I inhaled a banana split in five minutes. It was a delicious late lunch.   Scholar had arrived first. She had gone ahead and gotten a room and showered. The Inn is full of hikers.Krispy and his wife. RivaQueen and her Husband. Franco and Benny. BeatBox and BearTarcks. Jester and Danny. Tree Frog and Rooster. I roomed with Scholar and Sanguine. Krispy's wife will be around for awhile so there is an offer slackpack for four days. That just doesn't feel right for me. I plan to load up and walk. Sanguine and I plan a 14 mile out of here. My pace is okay for a late start. The group loitered out front and we caught up on gossip and news. PA Mule and Riva are going their separate ways, soloing. She seemed pretty happy with that decision. The grouping shifts again. GrizzlyDave apparently went into Troutdale and had his infected toe nail cut off. We're wondering if he'll take a day off before heading out. Krispy's wife plans to do trail magic while Krispy slackpacks during the day. The terrain ahead looks good to do higher mileage. We¢ll see if I still pay attention to plants and bugs and trees and critters. The last stretch into the interchange was through fields that apparently are old homesteads. Old fruit trees blooming.Old rose bushes. The rhododendron thickets earlier coming off the hills are putting out new leaves, bright green. The Firs have neon green tips of new growth. Robins in the parking lot and fields. Spring is in the air. Another day of walking, 25% calls me. Namaste'