Date: 2011-04-25
From: Catawba

To: Hwy 220 (entry three)
Miles today: 19.8

Fraser Fir04/25/2011 Entry three of the daySection Hiker from Georgia to Maine (eighth year of hiking the Appalachian Trail)My journal may be just a little bit different than the typical journal that you read.I may post several entries for the same day.I started this back in 2005 because I write alot of "stuff" and I did not want to ramble page upon page without breaks-if you will.So here we are in the Glenwood Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia.Tinker Cliffs is simply amazing. It is more than I anticipated.It is one thing to see a picture of something and or hear about something but to visualize it and experience it is definitely another.The hike up to the cliffs is pretty tough for me because I am still trying to get into my 2011 section hiking groove.I take about twenty pictures as I gaze back at MacAfee Knob.The dark clouds are approaching from the Roanoke area. No problem.My umbrella is near my side.I am hot and dehydrated and can hardly wait to get to Lamberts Meadow.Once at Lamberts Meadow I meet two thru hikers. One of the guys is a hiker from New Orleans, Rainfly and the other is Fat Jim.Both have hiked this section before on other hikes and are taking their time.They can see that I am pushing hard for a long day as I quickly filter water; add gatorade mix and chug down fluids.After a brief visit with these two wonderful gentelmen, I go after Hay Rock and Tinker Ridge.Now this was down right brutal. It is hot. I am tired and I have way too much weight on my shoulders.I call Homer and update my progress as I get "turned around" and am embarassed to say that I "lost" the trail. Did you catch that? I lost the trail and called a trail maintainer to find out where the white blazes are.I have hiked in snow; I have hiked in down pours with zero visibility and in the dark but have always found the blaze.After figuring out where the trail is- I capture a beautiful sun set as I head closer to Daleville and Tinker Mountain.Next, I take in the view of the Carvin Cove Reservoir.Combining the sunset, the Virginia Pines and the reservoir make for some great photos.There is not much of me as I meet Homer at Hwy 220.I have level two heat exhaustion. I have pushed hard to do 19.8 miles on my first day.At one point, near Tinker Creek, I laid down on the ground like I was climbing out of Hughes Gap or something. This was on a flat portion of the trail!!Homer met me in the parking lot of a convience store and I traded out Jeremy's pack for my other pack and got my trekking pole.Homer advised me of where to go to set up a camp site. I walked across Hwy 220 and walked in maybe less than 100 yards and found it.I was so tired that I laid down, by accident in a poison ivy patch!After I re-grouped, I walked across the street to the Texaco and bought gatorade and sprite.Too dehydrated to eat. I send out a text to my close friends and family to let them know that I got to Virginia o.k.Well, I did not make it to Fullhardt Knob tonight. A little over ambitious!! We will see Fullhardt tommorow ehh??Next, I call Stephanie and she asked me if I was concerned about being so close to the highway??Sirens were flying around 3:00 a.m. I pray that everyone is ok.Even on the trail when I am dialed into what I want to experience, I must pause to think that someone else is suffering and needs prayer.thank you so much for reading my journal. I love this hiking stuff!!