Date: 2003-04-26
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Day 44 Avg Mls/Day 11.6Weather: Overcast morning, partly cloudy mid afternoon, light evening showers. Temp 50's to 60'sToday was one of those rare days when everything went nicely as planned. It did rain a little overnight so it was good that we stayed in the shelter. Also, no mice..can't remember the last shelter that I actually saw one. A young couple showed up late...I heard them talkng to Liteshoe, but didn't get their names. Anyway, Liteshoe had pointed out that Troutdale VA (about 15 miles up the Trail) had a restaurant, B&B and hostel. She wanted to stop there, but Charlie and I decided to hitch in for a late lunch and hike on 5 miles to make it a 20 mile day. We all got up at daybreak, had some breakfast and I was the first one out at 6:50. Actually, Charlie and I weren't far apart all morning. When I stopped at Old Orchard Shelter for a break at 9:30 he caught up with me before I pulled out. There were more meadowlands and I saw 3 more ponies. The early terrain was rolling scrub land and not difficult. My notes from last year's hikers said this was a relatively easy hike day...and it was. The forrest trail was also easy. Charlie caught up atop Hurricane Mtn. (4,320') and we pretty much hiked together the rest of the day. The climbs were the gradual switchback type so we made good time. We got to Route 650 at 1:15 (an hour ahead of the time I anticipated) and it took us a half hour to hitch ride to town. There wasn't a whole lot of traffic but finally Chuck, a retired guy who had 40 acres on a hill and was building a new cabin picked us up. Thanks Chuck! We really pigged out at the Troutdale Trading Post. I had a double bacon cheeseburger, chef salad, wedge fries, two cokes, pie and coffee. Sitting across from us were 4 young college guys who were using a family cabin and going to the stock car race tomorrow. We got to talking and they seemed interested in our hike. I asked them for a ride back to the Trail and they were happy to ablige. One thing hikers usually lose is any timidness, shyness and manners...I mean I wouldn't normally ask a stranger I had just met for a ride. Anyway, thanks again guys...and we enjoyed talking with you. So we were back on the Trail at 3:30. The Trail wasn't bad and Charlie got me talking about unions and before you knew it we were 5 miles in to the shelter where we're staying for the night. No sooner did we got there it started to rain. So we're staying in the shelter. So far we're the only ones here. Don't think Liteshoe will come this far. The weather the next 2 days sounds good. Tomorrow around noon we will be at the Partnership Shelter; this shelter has a phone and Pizza Hut delivers to the shelter...We're hoping they do for lunch on Sundays. It also has a shower and is located behind a caretakers house. Too bad we couldn't be there in the evening.Lately, I've been taking the time, while I have it, to comment on gear. Today, a few words about my Feathered Friends Hummingbird sleeping bag. Two Scoops last year said he loved his. So far it has been a great bag for me too. I use a silk liner which really does helps keep it clean. I've never been cold and it packs away nicely. No defects in workmanship either...a fine product. Many talk how about how their bags retain odors. Haven't had any yet but I've been wearing long night clothes. So when they come off, that may happen with summer sweating. For a light weight bag it is great.Thought fo the Day: Who said you can't plan a hike?