Date: 2018-10-29
From: Wilson Creek

To: Troutville, VA
Miles today: 9.0

The rain had stopped before 10 p.m. last night. This morning my tent was dry as I packed up in the dark. The moon in its warning gibbous phase was almost directly above me. Stars dotted the sky. The stream's song was louder than the song of the winds up on the ridge above as I packed up. I left camp at 6:12 a.m. immediately crossing Wilson Stream. After climbing hills twice and crossing streams twice the trail leveled off. About 6:30 I turned off the headlamp and walked within the moonlight. The quiet woods' only sounds were my feet, my trekking poles, a stream, and occasional train horns. Daylight arrived almost unnoticed. One moment I'm in the moonlight and the next in the morning twilight, then daylight. I thought today's nine miles would be mostly downhill but I was severely mistaken. I didn't look at the elevation profile nor did I pay attention to the guidebook. Before I'd go downhill I'd have to climb a thousand feet up to Fullhardt Knob. It was five miles to that point. Going up the ridge the sun first hit me at 8 a.m. Near the top the winds I heard earlier this morning hit me. On top the wind was strong and cold. At the side trail to Fullhardt Knob Shelter the trail finally began descending. I could enjoy the hike better once out of the wind. In a few miles the trail dropped to pasture land, climbed over a mowed knoll steeply, crossed Norfolk Southern Railroad, then came to US 11. It was 11:10 a.m. I turned left and followed the four lane bermless highway into Troutville, often moving off the road for oncoming traffic. I thought I was going into Daleville but I found this side of I-81 is considered Troutville. All my receipts for the day will say Troutville. I went to Hardee's first of all. Then I went to the Dollar General Market, which is a larger store than the normal Dollar General and has fresh vegetables. Before I went in I called Motel 6 for a room. After reserving a room I asked when is check in time. She asked when do I want to check in. I said I'm right across the street. She said I could check in now. It was only 12:30, usually check in is 2 p.m. I was very pleased. Instead of going into Dollar General Market I went across busy US 220 to Motel 6 first. I wanted to get cleaned up and leave my backpack there. Incidentally, I live along US 220, just a few hundred miles north. After showering I went back to Dollar General Market to get five days worth of food. That will get me to Pearisburg, Virginia. Then back to the motel. I did laundry, organized my food and hung my gear to dry. Around 5 p.m. I went back to Dollar General Market for milk and to pick up a meat lovers pizza I earlier ordered at Italian Bella Pizza. Then back to the motel to relax for the evening. I ate my pizza, repaired my backpack, replaced any plastic bags I've been using, and soaked in the tub. A busy town day. Tomorrow is to be a beautiful sunny day with temperature around 65 degrees. Since it is to be a beautiful day I'm going to continue hiking and not take a zero day. A zero day was scheduled in Pearisburg so I'll wait until then. I expect to reach Pearisburg next Sunday and zero Monday. I break Virginia up into five sections to avoid the legendary "Virginia Blues." Virginia is the longest state on the AT and sometimes seems forever psychologically. The first two are complete: the Shenandoahs and the Blue Ridge Mountains. The third section is next: Daleville to Pearisburg. Then Pearisburg to Atkins followed by Atkins to south of Damascus at the Virginia/Tennessee border. So, I have 264.3 miles in Virginia.