Ponies!!!
April 7, 2014
As I write this I would just like to say happy one year anniversary to my hiking adventures. Last year on this day, April 7th, I decided to begin the Pacific Crest Trail, and my life changed. I became a man addicted to the adventures of life and couldn't have done it without the support of family and friends who follow me along on my travels. Also, I would like to say after this Appalachian adventure, there are more travel plans being concocted in my head. If my body is still able to walk one step at a time, 2015 should be a great adventure. More to come on that one later though.
As for late March of 2014, I last took off from Damascus VA into the woods of the AT. The calm after the storm that stopped me from going up Mt. Rogers turned out to be beautiful on the snow covered bald mountain. The Grinch and I trudged through some snow and passed a few ponies that make the mountaintop their home. The next little bit was to a truck highway and the town of Atkins VA with nice weather. Once we got to Atkins, the clouds started pouring, so we got a room and had a rest. Our motel, the Relax Inn, looked like a true truck stop motel out of the 1980s complete with a sign out front that you could hardly even read. From there the management seemed to kick me out for having more people than we said, even though we didn't. I couldn't even get a word off in the debate but I was leaving anyway, so I took the hit for the rest of the group. (As a side note, I don't seem to do well with old Indian women.) But it was a great day to leave and I got some peace and quiet until Woods Hole Hostel and Mountain Retreat, which is a very no-drugs or alcohol, sustainable farm hostel in the heart of the Appalachians. What a great stop too. They had a nice hiker bunk room and a great home style feeling. You have to help with the prep and cleanup for dinner, and the best hostel so far, I would say. Along with that they had homegrown beef and other goodies that were a great treat for my body as compared to the normal daily crap that gets shoveled down my mouth. The crew seemed to want to stay, but Big Hungry and I were eager to get back to it.
So we took off for the 10 miles to Pearsburg, VA for an AYCE crap Chinese buffet not worthy of mentioning the name or showing pictures. It did the job though in terms of price and calories, I guess. That night I got to power up the big climb out of town with Pilfer and a few beers. (Pilfer is a hiker and a few beers is just a few beers.) We made it to a shelter that had a great view of a bald mountain and a thunderstorm that hit that night. What a show it was!!! It was like watching a 2 hour movie with surround sound!!! No commercials!!! The next few days got lonely and I was by myself. Pilfer and the beers were gone :( but I trudged on with Big Hungry and I made it to Daleville, VA. I passed a few fishermen that had some good size trout so I think I'm gonna get a pole and permit to see if I can snag some healthy dinner for me and the pup. The miles have been tough lately. Lots of up and down but very beautiful.
Gotta keep trudging through VA!!!
Snow
Covered bridge.
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