Date: 2006-04-26
From: Buena Vista, Va (Comfort Inn)

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Two days ago we hiked down an easy stretch of trail to Matts Creek Shelter, where we met up, and Kaptain, Sunshine, and I went for a dip in the creek. It was a very hot day, so in addition to making us feel a little cleaner, it cooled us off. We then proceeded to the James River Foot Bridge, the longest Pedestrian Bridge on the A.T. Kaptain took pictures of us as usual. Lockjaw and I sent maple seeds spinning off into the river. Sunshine chased me, trying to catch me and throw me in. I ran, but my sprinting skills are a little out of practice. I decided to pivot and turn back, which totally beat the pursuing Sunshine, but which then resulted in my faceplanting on the bridge. Wasn't hurt though. Sunshine and Team Steve then hitched into Glasgow to pick up some more food, and Lockjaw, Kaptain, and I started up the big climb of the day. We stopped not far in to have lunch. Bluebird and Abandon were there, as well as a day hiker, Peanut Butter. We climbed the big hill in the blistering sun and scorching heat. Part of the way we hiked with Peanut Butter and learned about his job in the gem and jewelry industry and his five kids. We stopped for two views on the way up. At the second Lockjaw and I stayed on considerably after PB and Kaptain continued. At the top of the mountain (Bluff Mountain) we read about a little 5-yr-old boy who had left his schoolhouse in search of firewood and end up wandering over 7 mles to the top and dying there, to be found the next spring. We stayed on the top for at least a couple of hours. The view and weather were nice, and we chatted until Team Steve and Sunshine caught up from town, having had disappointing lunch options and poor hitching opportunities. We eventually all went the last 1.5 to the shelter, where we enjoyed some of the marshmallows that had been packed in, and read about Earl Shaffer. Yesterday began with a marshmallow fight with the remaining marshmallows. We then set out for town, with the intention of getting in for lunch, resupplying, then getting out. On the way we met two older couples. One gave us trail magic (apple turnovers and lemonade) and were former thru-hikers. The others were also former thru-hikers. We chatted with them at the last shelter before the road, then went up to hitch. We sat by the road and waited as several big trucks and not much else went by. I didn't have a shirt on , as it was very hot, and the guys talked about my "hitching skills" helping us get a ride. We eventually did, and after a wrong turn by our driver and a kind correction on his part, we arrived at the Comfort Inn. The plan was to get a single day room and use it to leave our packs, take showers, and do laundry. The first priority was food, though, so we went to the Subway that was located next door. After getting clean, fed, and laundered, we set out for the grocery store, which we had been told was anything from a half-mile to "a couple of miles down there". It ended up being about a mile of roadwalking along a road that became a highway. We got everything we needed, though, and even a hitch back, which kept us from having to do the walk again, this time loaded with groceries. It was getting late when we got back to the hotel, even considering we only had 4 miles planned. We knew bad weather was in the forecast, too, and that we probably wouldn't make it to the shelter in time. Surprisingly, none of us suggested a change of plans from hiking out to staying in the motel. We were ready to go with pack covers and raingear on as it started to rain. Kaptain commented on this as we went out the door, and it was immediately decided to stay the night and do the extra 4 miles in the morning. We all jumped around and were happy. Bonus town day, and no hike uphill in the rain. Packs exploded again and we settled in. Today began with me popping over to the gas station across the street to buy Little Debbie cupcakes and a package of candles. I put 23 candles on the cupcakes, lit them, then presented them to Team Steve as we all sang. Today is his 23rd birthday. We left the hotel later than we had intended after breakfast at Hardees. We hitched quite unsuccessfully for a while, before a guy pulled over, asked if we were thru-hikers, then offered to go switch his sedan for a bigger car that would fit us all. He returned and even brought us some bread and butter. It was a nice ride. He was talkative, and any time we're not in the cold bed of a pickup we feel grateful. All day it was misty. Not much happened all day. We climbed up a big overlook boulder called Spy Rock, which was kind of cool, but there wasn't much in the way of a view. Later on we stopped at a water source and I noticed an enoumous rock - we're talking at least 10 or 15 feet high - with a huge tree growing right on top. The roots of the tree grew down the sides, and it was definitely a cool and unique sight. We climbed up and sat on top with the tree. Of course, like idiots, Kaptain and Lockjaw decided to reach out to a skinny straight tree growing maybe 3 or 4 feet from the edge of the rock, then jump onto it and slide down fireman-pole-style. While I can sometimes tolerate male macho stupidity, I don't think the A.T. is the place for it. A relatively routine injury could put you off the trail, not to mention the logistics of actually getting you off. They both survived - I nearly had a hernia. Or something. After that we stopped by a shelter where we saw Feather, Scout, and Firefly. We continued through the fog to our final destination. Whoops--wrong order--we actually went to the shelter first and saw Spy Rock and the tree later.