Date: 2015-05-27
From: wilson creek

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's been a very full couple of weeks hiking and doing but at the moment I'm sitting at a very nice library in downtown Buchanan. This morning my section hiking friend GP, and I ate breakfast at the North Star cafe in Buchanan. HIGHLY recommended. Great pancakes! Big helpings. Lots of locals. Very hiker friendly. I sent GP on his way to Roanoke to catch his flight back to Dallas. We had a nice 5 days together on the AT.Back to business. Last night stayed at the Middle Creek campground at Jennings Creek, Buchanan. There were probably 8 thru hikers. We had tent sites with picnic tables, water and electricity. Luxury. Great cheeseburgers and an air conditioned game room where we watch a DVD. Big night sky with lots of stars. The hiking has been very good here in SW VA. I especially enjoyed the big three: Dragons Tooth, McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. Great views and some challenging rock climbing. I happened to hit all three over a beautiful memorial day weekend so there were quite a few local hikers to meet and talk to. I had one mishap. I missed a blaze at the top of Dragons Tooth and found myself 50 yards down a rocky cliff off of the trail. It took 30 minutes to right my mistake but after that I found the blue blaze trail to the top and continued with the hike. I've stayed a three very different hostels/motels recently. Woods Hole hostel at sugar run gap is great. Lovely old (late 1800's) log cabin that's been restored and expanded. The bunk house and showers were clean and light. Nice common areas. Of particular note at Wood hole is the food. Home cooked, served family style the food was organic, hearty and very tasty. I spent one night at the Four Pines hostel after dragons tooth. my original plan was to hike past Four Pines but I hit great trail magic at VA 624. Fireball's family from Marietta, Ga was visiting the area and they took time out of their holiday to set up a cook out of bratwursts, hot dogs, burgers, oreos, beer and soda. I hit the party at 4:00. After two bratwursts and a couple of sodas i couldn't summon enough energy to keep hiking so I headed to Fours PInes. Fours Pines is very laid back. I slept in the garage near the pool table whereas many others tented outside. The next morning I made a big pot of coffee and boiled a half dozen of the local eggs for me and several other hikers. Apparently there was a nice bonfire during the night and many of the hikers partied until late. In Daleville GP and I decided to hit the Howard Johnsons. Proved to be a good decision. It has a convenient location near Kroger, the outfitters and the Three L'l pigs barbeque. That night it turned into hiker central. Many hikers enjoyed the evening by the pool with a beverage. My only regret was that I passed up the Troutville Fire Station which provided free tent sites, hot showers and kitchen facilities. I heard it was an awesome experience, next time. All for now. I need to find a ride back to the trail and get a few miles in today. This section of the trail runs very close to the Blue Ridge parkway. Lots of nice views. I'll be back here one day on my bicycle for sure.