05-13-13 Somewhere near Craig's Creek

Red wisps of light. Orange undertones. A glorious sunset peaked at us through the trees. The morning was colder than usual but we warmed up nonetheless.

Today we saw the largest oak tree in the southern part of the Appalachian Trail. Named the Keiffer Oak, it is over 18 feet around and more than 300 years old.

Atop Bruisers Knob are a multitude of rock piles. We weren't sure of their significance--burial mounds, Depression-era jobs projects-- just glad the stones weren't in the trail for us to walk over.

We ended the day in a quaint campsite near Craig's Creek. We haven't seen many hikers on the trail in the past few days. For those who are still hiking, Virginia has really spread us out.

05-12-13 Dining with the Deer Together

Awoke to the sound of drops of water hitting the tent from trees. Once we got going, the sun greeted us and we started our way downhill.

We had heard about a former thru-hiker who lets hikers camp on his lawn. The selling point is that you must cross a creek via a zip line. Unfortunately, we didn't make it that far yesterday so we only got to view it during the first few miles. It looked like a lot of fun.

Dried the rain fly during lunch at Bailey Gap Shelter. Drying the tent is a dreaded but favorite chore of mine because I can drop all that weight (water) in a small amount of time.

The day sort of ran away from us and we began looking for a tent spot around 7 pm. I found a box full of goodies and we enjoyed our drinks, apples, and snake cakes. We talked with one of the caretakers of the box who happened to stop by.

Got to the top of the mountain and site of a previous fire tower at sunset. We set up in near record time but still had to eat in the dark. K heard an animal and it seemed large. As it moved towards us we realized it was a large doe. Couldn't get a good picture but the deer didn't seem to mind us and got within 20 feet of us before eventually walking off. Glad it wasn't something else!

05-11-13 Together Along the Virginia Ridge

There was fog when we woke up; do you think it follows us? Luckily it was warm and the fog quickly lifted.

Upon checking out, we found out that the free shuttle back to the trail is only available when the driver is awake, usually around noon. We started walking down the street towards the trail and saw Danno. He asked if we needed a ride which we thought was a joke at first. Turns out he had to rent a car in order to get to a specific outfitter for his shoes. The agency did not have anything to rent him except a 12 passenger van, the perfect shuttle vehicle. Thank you Danno!

The trail skirted town, an industrial plant, and the landfill before a big climb back into the ridges. At first it was an easy traverse and we had a wonderful view for lunch. The trail knows when you get complacent though and treated us to a few miles of rock scrambles.

Much of the ridge today was actually the border between Virginia and West Virginia. For whatever reason, the books don't recognize this fact and West Virginia gets cheated Appalachian Trail miles (WV has the fewest of the 14 states which the AT travels).

The weight from our recent resupply finally took its toll and we were wiped around 17miles in. We heard thunder and as soon as we set up the tent; downpour. Waited it out for dinner and again, downpour as soon as we finished. Happy not to be wet, we called it a day to the sound of more rain.

05-10-13 Together in Pearisburg

A little stiff this morning after the 20, but warmed up fast. Relatively easy terrain into Pearisburg, Virginia. Stopped for a bite to eat at an overlook. DNA caught us and we visited with him briefly.

Made it to the trailhead and Lane Street into Pearisburg right as the rain started and the thunder roared. It never materialized into a Midwestern thunderstorm, but it still felt good getting out of the rain.

The hotel shuttle picked us up. We're staying at the Holiday Motor Lodge. There's several rooms filled with long-term residents. Cleaned up and resupplied, then finished the long day with Mexican and a margarita with Bamboo and Morning Kid.

05-09-13 Together at Sunset

Got an extra-early start thanks to my watch getting set an hour later. Was disappointed to hit a section of trail that disappeared into a stream--the stream turned out to be the trail because of all the rain. This would foreshadow what we would encounter later.

Met up with Wild Child who was slowly moving down the trail with a swollen and discolored foot. B and Etch-a-Sketch caught up and we all walked with Wild Child a mile to a paved road. Someone else had already carried her bag to the road. We flagged down a car who took her to the doctor in Bastian, VA.

Continued on and reached Kimberling Creek and passed over our first suspension bridge. We stopped for lunch and to dry out our gear. B hiked to Trent's Grocery to pick-up our care package from Mitch and Jawan. Thank you for all the goodies!!

The trail flattened out and ran next to the river; ideally we should have flown through this section. Not so as it was badly flooded. We stopped at Wapiti Shelter for dinner with friends then proceeded up the hill.

Saw a beautiful view off a rock outcropping then decided to hike 2.3 more miles to a look-out tower for sunset. Well, the "look-out tower" ended up being a fenced-in communications tower with "no trespassing" signs. We found a clearing nearby and enjoyed our grounded view of the sunset.

Ended up setting up the tent after dusk. It felt great to finally cool our heels after 22.5 miles--our longest day yet.

05-08-13 Together under the Witch Hazels

Went to bed last night with stars in the sky; woke to rain. We pretended to be asleep, perhaps it was a dream. It was not, the sky was continuing her assault on us.

Trubrit had made the camp eggs and bacon which were devoured in no time. On his way out to drop some section hikers, Trubrit indicated we could cook pancakes if we were still hungry. Yank and Blue Bonnet jumped to it and we had pancakes with syrup, butter, and Reese's.

Still raining after our meal, hikers were trying to decide whether to go or stay. Together with Cyclops, we opted to hike and were dropped off in the rain around 10:30.

Didn't see anyone the first 9 miles but they flew by, some of the fastest yet. Crossed I-77 and made our way up to Helveys Mill Shelter where we found a few friends including Yank and Blue Bonnet. Cyclops elected to stay with them as we headed back out in the rain. K developed a blister and we slowed the pace a little as the trail became water logged.

Ended the day's hike camping between two streams next to Derelict, a section hiker. He informed us that we were camped under two blooming witch hazel trees.

05-07-13 Somewhere near Bastian

We were determined to hike rain or shine. Thankfully it was shine. We didn't actually see the sun, but the lack of rain was gift enough.

The terrain was very kind to us and we hiked 15 miles before we knew it. We spent the night at Fort Bastian--definitely not what we were expecting but we can file this under the "an experience" column.

Fort Bastian is run by Trubrit and he is converting his 36 acres into a wilderness camp. It is primitive here as he is still in the developing stage, but has already constructed several outbuildings out of pine. We were too mellow of a crowd for him.