Date: 2007-11-24
From: Pearisburg VA

To: Pearisburg VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

mi. 0sleep hoteldest. Pearisburg day 135 Today wasn't originally going to be a zero, but I wanted to sleep in. Plus I wanted to do something non-hiking with my parents while they were here. It also gave us a chance to see the area. We didn't have a plan, which makes it funner at least to me. VA Tech is only 20 miles away. We figured there most be something around there to see. We got there and figured we should start with some food. While paying for gas I asked the people working there if they knew of a good breakfest place. It was almost noon, but we were craving it. The woman working there said the place across the street was the best to her. So we headed there. It looked like a nice local place, later I realized it was a local chain. We lucked out since they serve breakfest later on Saturdays. After eating we still didn't know what to do with the day. So I asked the waitress what there is to see in the area for someone not from here and only spending the day in the area. She asks a couple questions and suggests we visit the small town of Floyd just 30 minutes or so away. We figured why not. The little town was cool. It turned out to have a good arts and music scene for a really small town. I was talking to the guy at the pottery shop and he said the rumor was the hippie bus broke down here and they just stayed. The moonshiners and pot smokers got along just fine, to use his annology. For my mom this town had a great huge sewing and fabric store. Ok that was for me too. I looked around and they had nothing I could use. My dad was getting bored there so we headed off and left my mom to look around. We hit up a small bookstore. I found 2 great used books. For $7 something I got a book from the early 90's on different adventures (everything from world traveling, motorcylce trips, to artic travel), and a book on different hikes around Kentucky. So in VA I found a book of hikes I could do when I get home. I got my first ever anticing experince. The town had a huge store of old crap. My mom met up with us and the 2 of us probibly spent over an hour puddling around the store. We didn't end up getting anything, but had fun. To paraphrase my mom, it makes her feel old to go into one of these stores and relive her childhood. Then we hit up a pottery store. I had to get a birthday gift for myself. I found 2 great coffee mugs. Something about a handcrafted ceramic mug that makes the coffe taste that much better. Not something for the hike, but when I get back. Then it was dinner at a local dive resturant. We were going to stick around for the blue grass/folk music tonight. But it didn't start until 7:30. The resturant and general store is unknown for the local artists playing at. If I lived close I would definitly check it out. I love that type of music, but I was exhausted. I still needed to pack up and resupply. On the way back we hit up Walmart. I was putting it off as long as possible, but I picked up a radio. I think I'll need it after not spending a night alone since Waynesburo. I think the total weight of entertainment I am carrying is close to 3 or 4 pounds. But I love it. Oh and if anyone is in the area the fabric department here has 1.1 oz untreated nylon and poly ripstop. I excersiced extreme restraint and didn't get any of it. My toat of good intensions is full of these types of fabrics already. Sil of a good DWR ripstop would have been a different story. Today I also picked up my loner pack sent from Gregory. I am going to have my parents arrange the fedex pickup gregory pays for when they get home. I hate to say it, but the pack got heavier tonight. In addition to the radio (it's just a small walkman) I swapped out my top quilt for my 15 deg bag, added my mittens, and a closed cell foam pad cut to torso length. I was going to add my face shield, but forgot. I'll pick up a neck gaiter later if I need it. I did swap out my smartwool socks for a new pair, and dropped the 3rd pair. Total weight gain is probibly 18 oz or so. But I'll be warm whenever, which makes it well worth it.