Date: 2004-05-26
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: US 501, VA 130 - Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Sitting in a Motel in Glasgow Virginia. Listening to the rolling thunder and rain splashing of the cars driving by. Ended up here for mental health. The group will do 16 miles today, me, only 14 to the road. I got lucky about a ride to town, trail angel at the parking lot. He had cold sodas and was willing to shuttle hikers to the three most popular places off the trail from that road park. Today's walk was mostly down with a few ridge ups. Last night the wind changed and the morning was chilly. Most of the group had set up their tents in hopes of a dry night to dry out our shelters from our campout at Jenning Creek. I had sheltered so I was in the first group out. Adam had also sheltered and had headed out before me. He also left his clothes hanging in the shelter, so I packed them on my back and followed out. I usually pass him within an hour, which I did. He's picked up TreeFrog's habit of forgetting things. I had a slow start. Hip needed aspirin to numb out the pain as well as morning stretches. As soon as the aspirin kicked in, I was doing my usual 2+ miles an hour. Wore the worn out socks with my sandals. Ran into some folks at my first pack off break who were doing a lichen survey. Apparently, lichen is a good indicator plant concerning the effects of pollution. They gave me cookies and the remainder of a box of Wheat Thins. Adam and Tree Frog caught up to me and we shared. Zippy and Switchback showed up too late. That was the last I saw of any of the group I have been hiking with lately. Most of the walk was what I have become used to for Virginia, green trees and green underbrush, rocks of all sizes. But at around a place I think is called Hickory Stand, the terrain reminded me of some places in Texas, red dirt, shale type rocks, short stubby trees. With the exception of the blueberry bushes, I could have been walking in the hill country at home. The closing for my walk was the crossing over the James River on a 625-foot James River Foot bridge. This bridge is dedicated to Bill Foot, who was instrumental in getting this bridge built. Prior to 2000, the trail went farther down the river to a road bridge. It apparently was an older traffic bridge that was hazardous for the hikers. Thank you, Bill Foot. As I said earlier, a trail angel was there. Apparently, Zippy and Switchback decided since they were so early, they had taken advantage of the trail angel for a ride to Glasgow to use the library internet service. They told Ken to expect me. I was glad for the ride. I only hope I have continued luck tomorrow. The road to town is winding and no shoulder. Besides being over 5 miles from the trail head. This is one part of the trail that I really dislike. I like the little towns, but the getting to and from, drives me nuts. One has to hitch, pray for an angel or pay for a shuttle. Glasgow should be on everyone's tourist ride. This one of those tiny towns where the post office is next to the grocery store which is across the street from the motel, which has a restaurant in front. The Mom and Pop's Restaurant and Motel. What makes it really interesting is the sculptures placed randomly all over the place, dinosaurs. "Small" replicas of every sort of dino one can think of. In front of the grocery store is a triceratops being lassoed by a cowboy on horse back. I want to take pictures but it¢s raining and grey. Maybe in the morning. Hope to be out early tomorrow. The local news says more rain. For tonight, maybe a second shower and bed.    Namaste'