Date: 2004-05-10
From: VA Highway 42

To: SOBO on VA Hwy 623 to VA Hwy 42
Miles today: 17.3

Day 57In the last episode of "Slack Pack Saga to Pearisburg" we left the thru hikers at Woodshole Hostel, tucked away in a remote mountain valley in western Virginia. The heroine, Jacquie aka Trail Widow, now known on the trail as Lady Kritter, has dropped from the hiking pack (saying you guys are nuts) to become a trail angel extraordinaire. The plan developed during the night was to have Lady Kritter drop off the "Magnificent 7" Jester, Bear Tracks, Scholar, Sanguine, Riva Queen, Rooster, and me at Va. Hwy.42. During our hike Lady Kritter would try to find us a campsite at Hungry Mother State Park for the next 2 nights.   We left Woods Hole in the chilly morning air. Those in the back needed a break to thaw out so we stopped for breakfast at a Shell Gas/convenience store. On the move again, I wanted everyone to know, including Lady Kritter, the location of the pickup point at Va.623. The road surface turned out to be gravel with no guardrails that twisted up, down and over with sharp curves and switchbacks through the mountains until we hit the AT at the ridgeline. Since the drive was long, winding and time consuming, the "Magnificent 7" decided to hike southbound from Va623 and have Lady Kritter met us at Va.42. We started our hike at 10:30 with great weather. The light weight slack-packing, definitely helped those of us with injuries when we started crossing over various boulders, rocks and roots. Northbound hikers that we knew were confused when they saw the "Magnificient 7" hiking towards them. The dialogue would go something like this:Mag. 7 "Are you lost?" Northbounders "No, I don't think so."Mag 7 "Then why are you going south?" Northbounders "Maybe you are." Mag 7 "Are you sure?" Then, you could see the doubt develop on their faces, as they go over in their head how they might have possibly gone wrong. It was fun to see their reaction. We never let anyone leave without telling them we were joking.One by one, we arrived at the Va.42 our pickup point. There was Lady Kritter waiting with fried chicken, fruit and cold drinks. Now she was a true trail angel giving trail magic to thru hikers. Bear Tracks was the first one in and learned about the camping arrangements. When I came in Bear Tracks, with the help of Lady Kritter, played a joke on me by saying the campground was too expensive. Now they wanted to know plan C. Actually I had a plan C and a D. As the other hikers came in I related to them the campground situation. When the last hiker of our group arrived, Lady Kritter spilled the beans about how she sweet-talked this man for 1 1/2 hours to give us the group camping spot for $18 a night at the Hungry Mother State Park. We arrived just before dark to set up camp. The Magnificent 7 declared they wanted Lady Kritter to trail angel all the way to Maine.This state park is surrounded by mountains, has several streams running through it and contains a lake with a popular beach for summertime activities. Our campsite was spacious and located next to a large stream. The best part was having a bathrooms with hot showers for the next two days. Ahhhhh, paradise can be found in so many ways.