Date: 2003-07-16
From: Dripping Rock

To: Rusty's Old Time Hollow
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

start Dripping Rock destination Rusty's Old Time HollowIt was a fast and furious morning for us. The News Virginian paper came to interview me about the trail and Rotary's Polio Eradication Program. I certainly hope they give me a good article so more people will be educated about polio and Rotary in addition to the trail. Dr.Anderson joined me and gave some information about his Rotary Club here in Waynesboro. He has volunteered to take us back up to the trail. We turned in our rental care then went to the post office to mail some packages home. We headed up the Blue Ridge Parkway before anyone realized it was lunch time. Mudbutt and I tried to convince Dr.Anderson we could eat lunch out of food bag, but he would not hear of that. We drove back to the Visitors Center to grab a sandwich and drink, but they did not have any sandwiches. There was nothing to do but drive back to town. He took us to Ciro's Pizza where we had a wonderful pizza. Again, the great thing was the fellowship we had. The laughs and jokes flew quickly and furiously. Too soon we were back at the trail where we would say goodbye to our new friend. I had brought the two slices of leftover pizza with me. I said I was going to give them to the first hiker I saw. It turns out that the hiker was Cloudwalker who I had met before. His eyes lit up like a child's eyes at Christmas when I offered him the pizza. Then another treat when I gave him a banana for dessert. It was hard to say goodbye to Dr.Anderson. In a very short time he has become a good friend, and we hated to see him go. I think he had just as much trouble watching us walk off into the woods. We had planned to get a 12 mile hike in today, but once again, the rocky trail has changed our plans. I am very tired of rocky trails, and of Virginia. It seems like I have been in Virginia for months. Well, I have been in Virginia for months. The trail is again rocky and difficult for Mudbutt to manuever. We do 5 miles, coming out at Three Ridges Overlook. We sit down and try to figure out which way we need to hike to get to Rusty's. We make the best decision we can and head down the Blue Ridge Parkway. A few miles later we are rewarded by the sight of Rusty's gate. Rusty's has been a must see and stay element of the AT since way back when. You will not find electricity at Rusty's, or indoor plumbing. There is a cold covered spring to keep food cold. Meals are cooked on a wood stove which is fired up every time a meal needs to be cooked. The bunkhouses are dry, but primitive. The floors are covered wall to wall with mattresses. Rusty's house is 165 years old, more or less. It is completely primitive as is the rest of his hollow. The few lights that are here are propane ones that Rusty lights every night. The closest thing to civilization that is here is a generator that Rusty uses for his power tools and to run the TV/vcr that the hikers use to watch a movie or two. But no Tv is really needed here. The views of the mountains are entertainment enough. Or should be for most people anyway. The back porch overlooks his garden, and the woodheated hot tub. The springs on the property also are used to fill an old tub that will give any weary hiker a new lease on life. That is if you live through the shock of the cold water. The solar shower he has is not much warmer, but feels great in the heat of the July afternoon. Again, the water refreshes you and leaves you tingling all over. We were delighed to find Pirate still here, along with Detour. Hillbilly is here also. Thousands of pictures line the walls, ceiling and any other place one could put a picture. Pictures of hikers who have stayed here over the years. It is a real shame if you have your picture turned over. It means you were a troublemaker, or simply took advantage of the goodness of this gentle man's heart. The soreness of our feet and our long walk were quickly forgotten as we were treated to grilled hotdogs, and sweet treats. Drnks, cold from the spring washed down our meal. Mudbutt and I are showed to the ladies bunk house. It will sleep maybe a dozen hikers. Pegs are along the wall to hang your stuff on. We each claim a spot and return to the front to eat our share of watermelon. There are dozens of signs hung everywhere. They let you know what the rules are, and what to do or not do. Rusty doesn't put up with any foolishness here. He knows how to have a good time though. But it is good clean fun. The sounds of tree frogs lull me to sleep tonight. No bright lights to keep me awake. No manmade noises either. total miles 4.7