Date: 2011-05-11
From: Day 62 Wapiti Sheltet

To: Day 63 Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained pretty hard throughout the night but by morning it was over and of course everything everywhere was soaking wet. Yes it was a good choice to stay in the shelter. We planned on a short day today just trying to get back to the Woods Hole hostel and find out how Toaster is doing. Once again, duh, our morning started out going uphill, 1400' in just 2 miles. (yeah Virginia is flat) then 2 miles of what looks like flat terrain in the book but isn't really, and the book doesn't show that the trail is really rocky, not like the nice NJ rocks. Then 2 miles of Virginia downhill (it's not really downhill just like it's not really flat) and back to the hostel and our home for the night, arriving here 12:30. Toaster was gone. She left several days ago and is getting a ride back to Damascus for Trail Days. After Trail Days she will head back to Troutville and Jerry's Kitchen, where she has a part time position as a cook for a couple of weeks, maybe we will see her later on the trail.  We hope her injury healed and wish her well. The hostel Is full once again (40 here tonight) but Tramp, Turnpike & I have bunks, the overflow are in their tents. This place had been called "A little piece of heaven" but that might be somewhat of a stretch. While the owners are terrific, and the food is too, the amenities leave something to be desired. The privy, yes a privy for hikers in the hostel and tents, not a bathroom, is out of order so it's pee in the woods and dig a hole for anything else. (I've learned that the crowds have been exceptionally large this year) The shower is an outside wooden stall with a rug for a door out back of the bunk room (but there is plenty of hot water) and speaking of the bunk room we are advised to hang everything, pack and all, because the mice will get into anything left on the floor. And since the mattresses are right on the floor the mice probably run right over you while you sleep. Sounds just like a shelter to me except there is electric lights, until 10:00. So from a people and food standpoint yes it's heavenly, and if your lucky enough to have a room on the house, but that's about it. Tonight once again there is an overflow crowd with several hikers deciding to just stop in for a shower then move on. At 7:00 Step & 1/2 and Jeannine hiked in. Don't get me wrong, the feeling here is warm, wonderful and rarely do you hear anyone utter a negative word. The tradition here is before dinner and breakfast, everyone forms a circle and holds hands. After a moment of silence we go around the circle with everyone saying their trail name, where there from and something they are thankful for. Many state that they are thankful for all the people and experiences they have encountered along the trail and for the warm feeling they get from this place, the home grown and lovingly cooked food and our hosts, yes they are remarkable people. So yes maybe it is a little piece of heaven after all. Temps, it's 62* in the bunk house, it is raining lightly but there's no wind no song birds no night owls but lots of frogs, really loud frogs that will all of a sudden just stop and just as suddenly start up again. This happen over and over again and again until I finally fell asleep. Total AT miles hiked today 6.4  Nite all