Date: 2005-05-21
From: VA Route 624; US Route 220 to VA Route 311

To: VA Route 624
Miles today: 5.9

DAY 71We awoke to a bright clear morning in our room in the home of Scott and Mandy. This morning Rocky was up first, which is unusual. She said to me, ¢Swampy, are you awake?¢ Well, I soon was and joined her on the floor where we poured over the Trail map to figure out our next move. We decided that we would slackpack again. This time from VA Route 311 back to VA Route 624 and thus close out the section we missed yesterday by jumping ahead. We had a great breakfast and then Scott delivered us to the trailhead at VA Route 311 on his way to work at a car rental agency. We headed south from the trailhead. It has been a great day for a hike. It was a welcome easy day after the long mileages of the past two days. We hiked along a ridge and then through some beautiful farmland. We were on top of a rise, along a power line easement, when we saw hikers coming up the hill. First there was the family of five from New Hampshire. Then we were elated to see The Blondes, Jukebox and B-Money, coming up towards us. I had not seen them since we were in Pearisburg, although they did stay with Rocky and Sowega during Trail Days. We suggested that they end today¢s hike at VA Route 311. We would have Mandy pick them up at the trailhead there. They could go into Roanoke with us later in the day and see ¢Star Wars¢. They could also spend the night with us at Scott and Mandy¢s home. When we reached the end of today's hike, at VA Route 624, Rocky was a few yards ahead of me. As she came out of the woods to the road, a man in a pick up truck stopped and asked if she needed a ride. Rocky always seems to attract men to help her. She said no thanks, but asked to borrow his cell phone. She called Mandy. Mandy soon came to pick us up. Then we headed to the trailhead at VA Route 311 to pick up The Blondes. After picking up The Blondes we headed into Roanoke. We stopped at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant for lunch. We treated Mandy to lunch and the movie. It was the least we could do in return for the wonderful hospitality she has shown us. Then we went to see ¢Star Wars¢. During the movie I sat in the middle of the women. I got a little bored at times watching all the pyrotechnics and fell asleep. Rocky kept nudging me awake as I was snoring. After the movie, I wanted to go to an outfitter to buy a lighter sleeping bag to replace my heavy 15 degree fiber filled bag. It took me awhile to settle on a bag. I wanted a 32 degree fiber filled bag as it would be cheaper than a down filled bag. In the end I spent the additional money for the down bag, partly because of Rocky¢s incessant urging, and also because the zipper on the fiber bag was on the wrong side for me. I also bought a pair of hiking socks which the store threw in for free, considering the bag cost me $230. Or did I buy a $230 pair of socks, with a free sleeping bag? We drove back to Scott and Mandy¢s home and picked up Scott. We all went to the Homeplace restaurant. Poor Jukebox is a vegetarian and could not eat many of the items on the menu. However, she sat with us and ate only potatoes and vegetable. The restaurant at least gave her a discount on her meal, but we were uncomfortable for awhile.   This was my second Homeplace meal in seven days, as I had been there during my visit with in-laws in Roanoke. I think I enjoyed the company more tonight on this my second visit in a week. It is another nice night at the home of Scott and Mandy. The Blondes are staying here tonight as well in their own bedroom.