Date: 2009-06-07
From: Groundhog Trail

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we headed out to hike the Appalachian Trail north of Pearisburg. My leg was feeling much better and I really wanted to test it out to see how it was healing. We drove close to Pearisburg to drop the one car off and then rode in the back of Jeremy's pick-up truck with Robin and the dogs 12 or so miles north of Pearisburg at the foothill of the Groundhog Trail. The much-despised pup Rocko came with us and we were forced to stay 'sane' by making fun of him every so often. Damn that dog was annoying (Jeremy and Robin would whole-heartedly agree!). As we climbed the Groundhog Trail, the three dogs saw a very small two foot fawn that popped its head out and started running away. Like predator vs. prey, Marley and Rocko chased after it. Fortunately, Jack was on a leash and we were able to restrain him. Marley normally comes back when he is called and he did to some degree, but it was the dumbass Rocko that didn't abide by our pleadings and kept running. For a few minutes, we all thought that we had lost him and Jeremy ran back to see if he could find him. I, too, joined the search, when all of a sudden, I saw a tired Rocko with his tongue hanging out jumping happily back to the trail. Robin and Jeremy were so pissed at the dog - more so Jeremy. So, we had to put all of the dogs back on a leash. Rocko continued to pull his way up the mountain, but this wiped out his energy that we had to take many breaks and provide him with a ton of water. Robin and Jeremy were debating on whether or not they should continue because of the dogs' condition. I pressed them to keep going and, after consulting with one another, they agreed to hike to the AT to see how the dogs were doing. When we reached the AT, the condition of the dogs had improved, and we kept hiking. I was certain that I would be passing some of my fellow thru-hiker friends and, soon enough, I came across Laser. A little while later, I ran into Phatmandu and One Track. Phatmandu felt really bad for leaving me behind at the shelter before heading into Bland, but I told him that there was no worry at all. He's a really good person. One Track was Phatmandu's 'Trail Wife' who had left the trail to go back home to the deep south for a few weeks, before deciding to get back to the trail and keep on pluggin' away. At Rice Field Shelter, I headed towards the shelter to see who was there, while Robin and Jeremy kept moving with the dogs. While there, I saw Segue, RLB, and Nordic and we chatted for a little while. Leaving the shelter, I saw my good bud Maui Bob and we exchanged numbers in order to keep in touch via text. He is 62 years old and looks as if he is 40. I guess this is what yoga can do! Descending down the mountain, I saw Phoenix Rising and told her all about how Robin and Jeremy took me in to 'nurse' me back to health and that I was recovering slowly but steadily. Her motivation to continue hiking was back, as she had found some spirited thru-hikers out on the trail. I had two Mueller bands this day and my knees and leg felt pretty good. I was dehydrated for most of the day, as there weren't too many water sources, but my body felt pretty good. When I finally caught up to Robin and Jeremy again, they proposed that they would pick me up in Pearisburg and drop me off at the Groundhog Trail, so that I wouldn't have to re-hike the 12 mile section. Robin's car was parked before Pearisburg, so I hiked on, while they went off to pick up Jeremy's truck. I finished the two mile section, watching the beautiful golden sun fall over the green horizon, and hiked to the Rendezvous Hotel, where I picked up my two mail drops - thanks Mom & Dad and Kathy & kids. When I opened the one that included my Endurox recovery powder, I saw that Kathy had sent me some cookies. What I loved the most was that my 11-year-old cousin Alex had written me: "Dear Steve, Happy Trails! (w/ a smiley face), Love, Alex" Then, there is an arrow to turn around the small piece of paper. On the back, it reads: "Virginia or Bust!" This is all the motivation that I need, little bugger I'm even going to keep it with me for the rest of the trip. I was having some small talk with the two owners of the hotel when Jeremy and Robin showed up with Cage and my trail friend, Jungli. It was great to see her again! They had been hitching back into Pearisburg and Jeremy and Robin picked them up. After a long day out on the AT, we finally returned home, where Robin made some delicious spaghetti, sauce, and Italian sausage. Again, a delicious meal! This time, she made a cobbler, without the egg and with a variety of fruits. It was even better than the last one!