Date: 2015-04-17
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up feeling rested and refreshed - best shelter stay yet!It rained again during the night but it eventually ligthened up. This morning, there was even a few timid sun rays tentatively piercing through the clouds. The sun! We have not seen it in a good while! The sun's timing was perfect because we were planning on going into Pearisburg, VA for a nero and should have plenty of time to dry everything out.The morning hike wad pleasant; the sunlight was increasingly strong and finally warming up the drenched, sodden Trail. We hiked up a few climbs and had an impressive view (as shown in the photo) above the clouds. We stood overlooking a white sea of clouds with small mountain peaks poking through like small islands.The descent into Pearisburg was very steep and quite slippery as the slanted rocks were still wet. We made it to a road crossing and saw a white van dropping off a few known faces: Just Pete, Ironman Bill and the Diabolical Duo. They had stayed at the Woods Hole Hostel and were going to slackpack for the day, a service provided by the hostel. The driver offered us a lift into town, which was very generous; we accepted and he drove us all 0.8 mi from the Trailhead to the motel where we planned on staying. I want to reiterate: that hostel seems really nice and I only mentionned my choice of not staying there to support a point I wanted to make rather than as a comment on the hostel itself!Anyway, today was a great nero. REAL laundry and a good shower. I really needed a shower as it definitey lessens the horrible, almost disfiguring appearance of my leg rashes which are not really getting any better - still red, inflammed and irritated. *Sigh*Other activities included resupply, fast food, a haircut and a tribute to our patron Saints, Benedictus and Jerrius. Horray!The Hiker's Companion divides Virginia into several sections. Accordingly, we have just exited the Southwestern portion and entered Central VA. That means....SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA SUMMARY (because by the time we get out of VA, I'll have forgotten!):- My initial impressions were favorable. Many small streams, bridge crossings and rock-hopping. Very picturesque.- Although this also coincides with the arrival of Spring, the Trail seems to have been cast in a bright green dye. Trees' small buds are slowly expanding into full leaves and an army of small plants are rising from the ground. Tiny flowers are in bloom, their petals colored with a gradient of pink or purple hues.- There are more animal sightings,particularly of the aviary kind, although as we know, I do not have the knowledge to identify these new birds. - Terrain is mild; increased difficulty is due to a higher density of rocks. The elevations are not very high, so any steep elevation change is only maintained over a short period.- I would not say that this section is easy but I will concede that we have increased our stamina and have gained some speed. It's a great feeling. As I have discussed, we are also more immune to the challenges and unexpected issues that may arise.- Also: the privies have returned. TN had ZERO privies (and they had been scarce along the NC/TN border). Now, at the beginning I had been reluctant about "going in the woods" (otherwise known as brown-blazing). However, I now prefer the woods to the privies as it feels more hygienic in a way as you avoid touching anything that another people have touched (I am always, always concerned about diseases and contamination out here). Plus, my squat form is ON POINT now! The Trail HAS changed me!!!- The weather has been rain, wet and cold (to the point that I was glad to still have winter gear). Yes, April showers. Still, Virginia, you need to step up your weather systems. C'mon, gurl!- Axon