Fredericksburg?!?

My 5 day siesta is over! Bluegrass, Squirrel, Sabertooth and I spent a long weekend back home in Fredericksburg. I got to surprise my mom for her birthday, Saber met his little niece for the first time, and we all rested our legs. We also made some changes to our gear in town and everyone was able to drop weight from there pack. Squirrel had an unfortunate accident with a knife while trying to put new tips on his trekking poles. One slip of the knife and the top of his wrist was sliced wide open! A late night visit to the emergency room lead to numerous stitches and an extra day of rest in Fredericksburg. Squirrel seems to have a way of injuring himself but he doesn't want our pity and he's ready to hit the trail again. A rainy forecast for much of the week and theres nothing we can do but strap on the rain gear and start hiking.

Mcaffee Knob

Dragons Tooth

Tough climb up "Dragons Tooth" yesterday. 1400 foot mt. appeared to be gradual climb on the profile map but it was a different story once I started the climb. Hiking straight up a narrow ridge across huge boulders and thru tight squeezes. Up and down we trudged. We've been hiking with Lost n Found, The Conversation, Chopper, and there two dogs. Eloise, an Australian Shepard and Lucy, a sweet pit bull. The dogs had trouble in some spots and needed a little help. Making our way to the summit there were many views from rocky outcroppings. The culminating 60 foot rock spires on top were amazing. Blue, Saber and I risked our lives climbing to the point of dragons tooth but it was well worth the view. The climb down was no easier, rock scrambling down 2 1/2 miles. We came to a road crossing late in the afternoon and decided to walk a 1/2 mile to a country store for a couple beers to enjoy at camp. As we exited the store our spirits were crushed. Thunder and lighting had moved in. As a steady rain began to fall the helpful store clerk informed us about the bad weather moving in and a cheap hostel just down the road. Joe Mitchell, owner of Four Pines Hostel, pulled up to the store as a heavy rain began to fall. 8 hikers and 2 dogs piled in the back of his truck when hail began to fall. We were pelted with rain and dime sized hail as we curved down the winding back roads of Va. Most of us were laughing uncontrollably despite the pain. Sabertooth got the worst of it. He was leaned against the back tailgate looking forward. Using his hands as a shield he tried in vain to block the hail. We were all smiling and laughing as we piled into the hostel.

No day out here is ever the same. We never thought our day would end at an Alpaca farm drinking fine beer and grilling hotdogs.

I don't know why a 4 foot black snake would just lay in the middle of the trail but if I scared him half as much as he scared me, he won't lay there again

Kellys Knob Sunset

Woods Hole

Woods Hole Garden

Dismal Falls to Pearisburg

Great hiking the past few days and even better accommodations. I can't say the weather has been so great. Tuesday afternoon the temperatures started dropping and a steady rain fell all night. We camped next to Dismal Falls, a wide stream with numerous cascading falls and deep clear pools. It was cold and damp the next morning but the sun was doing it's best to poke thru the clouds. Bluegrass and I made it out of camp well before Sabertooth and Squirrel. The first 6 miles was a perfect hike. We walked thru a valley covered in a dense pine forest and crossed swollen streams lined with rhododendron trees. The hike was the flattest six miles I've done yet. I was really enjoying myself until I ran face first into Wapita mountain! A steep 800 ft climb, I was happy to reach the top and walk along the top of the ridge the rest of the day.

I had been hearing great things about the Woods Hole Hostel so when the clouds began to darken and the temps were falling we were happy to hike the half mile off trail into Woods Hole. An 1880s log cabin and bunkhouse on a 100 acres, was discovered by Roy and Tillie Wood around 1940. They opened the hostel in 1986 and for 21 years ran it until there passing. There granddaughter, Neville, runs the operation now with her husband Michel. Two of the most generous people I've ever met. They made all the hikers feel right at home. But Neville was straight to the point when there was a stinking hiker sitting in her living room. Anyone with "hiker funk" was politely asked to shower....immediately. I think we hikers are becoming to comfortable with the terrible smell we give off after a week with no showers or clean cloths.

Lots of hikers arrived that afternoon mostly because of the weather turning. It was raining and cold when Sabertooth and Squirrel arrived. I couldn't think of a better place to be when I noticed it was sleeting outside.
All the guests pitched in to help with the family style dinner. Neville pounded dough while Michel ran the wood oven stove outside. An assembly line of hikers loaded home made sauces, meats and vegetables on the dough as Michel slid the pizzas into the hot oven. 25 pizzas later, dinner was served. Fresh salad straight from the garden with home made dressing put the meal over the top. After a good nights rest in the bunkhouse the breakfast bell rang from the porch early. Breakfast was just as good as dinner. It's not often we get a nice home cooked meal out here and I enjoyed it immensely! It was the best stay I've had on the trail yet.

We left Woods hole with a full stomach Thursday morning and headed to Pearisburg. Michel drove our packs into town and we hiked 10 miles carrying only snacks and water. My bones and feet ached the entire hike though. As fate would have it, there was a nice Spanish restaurant next to the grocery store where we picked up our packs. Since it was Cinco de Mayo we decided that a hotel and coronas were in our future. After resupplying we hit the restaurant for $1 coronas. Blue, Sabertooth, and I had a great time. Lots of hikers had the same idea we did. Good times were had by all. But when the alarm went of at 6:30 the next morning my heavy head and aching feet screamed one thing, Zero Day!!! It felt great to relax all day and give the body a break. Stan and Cactus Jack stayed here with us to help with the cost. We will head out early Saturday morning and head 92 miles to Daleville over the next 5 days.

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone

Yesterday was long and tough. 24 miles over some beautiful ridges looking down out into green valleys dotted with farm houses. Just before dark we came to a road crossing and Bluegrass and the guys ordered pizza. I used every once of will power and saved some money by skipping it. Two more miles up steep incline and we cowboy camped underneath the stars. I've never been so happy to get in my sleeping bag! This morning I popped my blisters and were moving again!

Thanks for the news update TJ and Jr. I woke the campsite with news of Osama Bin Ladens death. Celebrating in the mountains today! 24 mile hike to Helveys Mill Shelter. I'm really enjoying these Va mountains!

This morning we awoke to sounds of thunder in the distance. As I finished breakfast and pulled on my pack the storm was over us. Walked thru rain most of the morning. In the middle of a wide open pasture the storm kicked up big time. Hail and rain poured on us. If that wasn't enough, 3 big climbs today. We set up camp on Chester knob, tired from a long day. Just before dark a local hiker arrived with pizzas and soda. He hiked ten miles just to bring us dinner!