Saturday, May 24

I did a long haul today but I was rewarded when I got to the Relax Inn. Its a dump but for $42 per night, what can you ask for? The truck stop diner was all I hoped for. Big servings, low prices. I had a burger, fried mushrooms, and a piece of lemon pie for under ten dollars.

I got my first tick. It came off without a fight. I think I got it walking through long grass but it could have been in the motel room.

I've caught up to Rodeo. Her hip continues to trouble her. She was 50 miles ahead of me before Trail Days. Her hip has really slowed her. She keeps a good attitude though. Here are updates on some others.

- Mas, Jogle, and Becca are all rumored to be one day behind me. They'll catch me in Pearisburg in a week.
- Still no Animal rumors. I left a voice mail on her cell. It's a good sign that she hasn't returned it. She could still be hiking and out of cell range.
- Washed Up, who carried a guitar through Georgia and North Carolina, has reportedly left the trail Too bad, he was sure to be the stuff of trail legend if he stayed. Mas tells that he found Washed Up on a pay phone in North Carolina saying, "Just send socks . . . I don't care, any socks!"
- I'm embarrassed that I've already forgotten his name, but I heard a good third-hand story about the southbounder with artificial feet. One night somebody was complaining too much about his blisters, while sitting around the campfire. Tiring of the whining, our man pulled off his foot, boot and all, and said, "Funny, I never have that problem."
- One more story. In the early weeks of my hike, lots of hikers were upset with a hiker named Wing Ding who wrote his name in marker on the shelters he slept in. I've caught up with him and heard his story. He says it was a dumb impulse and a fellow hiker set him straight. I heard a rumor that it was an angry Smokey Mountain Ranger who set him straight, but whatever. He goes by another trail name now and doesn't graffiti anymore.

All's well.

Atkins, VA. Today - 22.2 miles, Total - 536.4 miles.

Sunday, May 25

I passed a huge waypoint today. If you have been following my progress a while, you know I can make a statistical mountain out of a molehill, but this is really big. I passed the 25 percent mark at mile 544 this afternoon. I'm one-quarter done.

I got a late start today because I couldn't resist the greasy spoon's Sunday breakfast. It was called "The 2 x 4." It is two pancakes, two eggs, two bacon strips and two sausage patties. You also get a roll and hashbrowns. Good thing I hike 14 miles today.

I just found out yesterday that it is Memorial Day weekend. I thought the trail seemed crowded. You lose track of these things in the woods.

Some equipment notes for you gearheads.
- My Osprey Aether pack is the best thing I have with me. It adjusts easily and never chafes. The belt is removable so when I lost weight, I was able to get a new belt for it at the outfitters. I'm down 14 pounds.
- Mountain Laurel makes great lightweight gear. I own their pack cover and rain chaps and both are terrific. Google them.
- My North Face Trail Runners are great but the shoelaces are very narrow and impossible to replace from the trail. I'm using the light rope I use to hang my bear bag to replace by laces. The bear bag hangs from lower branches all the time as I keep cutting off more rope for shoelaces.
- All my winter stuff is getting sent home from Pearisburg. I'll be two pounds Lighter. Yay!

All's well.

Knot Maul Branch Shelter. Today - 13.9 miles, Total - 550.3 miles.

Monday, May 26

Today was a very hard day. Most of the morning was taken up by a long climb to the top of Chestnut Ridge. I'm very tired. I plan to hit the tent early.

First though, I heard that my URL is posted at my old place of employment. Welcome to all PB visitors. I think of you as I hike along. I hope you are all doing well.

Before I turn in, I want to repeat an interesting conversation I had with some section hikers. They asked if I thought about getting to Maine often. I had to tell them I almost never do. I have done 569 miles but I still have 1,600+ miles to go. I'd quit if I considered that. I had to admit that I rarely think past my next resupply or zero day.

Virginia continues to be kind to me, but the forecast says the worm is about to turn. Showers Tuesday and Wednesday, steady rain all day Thursday. Oh well, I'll keep hiking.

All's well.

Jenkins Shelter, VA. Today - 19.1 miles, Total - 569.4 miles.

Tuesday, May 27

It was an interesting day today and it started early. Around 2:00 someone woke me up yelling, "Bear, bear!" I heard something running around outside but it sounded more like a deer so I pulled the hood of my sleeping bag over my head and went back to sleep. About two hours later, a dog that wandered into camp woke me up barking and running around. Whatever it was chasing sounded big, maybe a bear. The dog seemed to have it under control though so I rolled over and went back to sleep. Some early risers in camp woke me up around 5:30 and I gave up and read for a while. I am working on A Sand Country Almanac.

There was a trail rumor I put no stock in so I didn't mention it yesterday. A third hand rumor held that the Bland, VA Baptist Church was picking hikers up at a road crossing and cooking them breakfast at the Church. It turns out that the rumor was true. I had a great breakfast. I'm on a crowded stretch of trail, so I had lots of company. A young honeymooning couple, Unicorn and Pegasus, went to the store and bought a leash and collar for the stray dog. They adopted her and named her Virginia for obvious reasons.

Late in the afternoon we crossed another road and were met by a former thru-hiker who had a half-case of beer. We all enjoyed hearing his trail stories and drinking free beer. Our benefactor claimed to have taken 71 zero days on his hike. That's a lot of partying. I've taken four so far.

I wanted a peaceful night's sleep tonight, so I hiked three miles past the shelter. I cooked at the shelter so there are no cooking smells here. I'm hoping for no wildlife, no loud people. This will be my first night camping alone.

All's well.

Not sure. Today - 17? miles, Total - 586.4? miles.

Wednesday, May 28

Virginia turned on me today. After eight straight days of warm, sunny weather, I got a whole day of rain. It was cool but not too bad. As usual the rain kept me moving and I did good miles. The shelter is crowded so I went from my solo camp to a camp of 20. The solo camp was a lot more peaceful. On the positive side, it is cool enough that my 15 degree bag isn't too much. I'm looking forward to getting down into it.

Lots of fast hikers are in here. Unicorn and Pegasus did 24 miles with the dog. Frumpy and Waters, who carry huge food bags, also did 24. Apex and Magellan did 24 and are going out for more. I'm happy I can keep up with the fast people but I'm looking forward to time off in Pearisburg. I have a few sore spots that need rest. I'm doing better than most though.

Andrea, who I know from my Las Vegas hiking group, is meeting me in Pearisburg on Sunday. I can't wait.

All's well.

Wapiti Shelter. Today - 21.0 miles, Total - 607.4 miles.