Daleville

Surprise, surprise this post is actually on time. Writting from the Howard Johnson hotel in Daleville,VA.

Left Pearisburg 5 days ago on the 21st and did 20 miles by 3:30 but definitely felt like a much longer day. Decided to stop early at The Captain's house which to get to you need to cross a stream using a pulley system (not a zip line despite what the guide says) offers places to camp and cold sodas. Planned to get an early start on a 29 mile day the day after but I just ignored my alarm and started around 8:30. Most of the first 2 days out of Pearisburg had very unmaintained rocky trail which was not fun to maneuver around. Got to the shelter just as the sun had went down and slept great. Did 16 miles the next day to Four Pines Hostel where I managed to snag the last available couch. Coming down from Dragons Tooth has become my least favorite 2 miles so far. Joe from Four Pines took us to the Homeplace Resuraunt for dinner and the definitely lived up to its name. Once again ate enough to be in pain and then ate more but it was worth it. Left Four Pines around 6:30 before anyone else was awake. Enjoyed very nice views as the sun was coming up as well as McAfees Knob where I just beat the rain. Last 10 miles of my 27 mile day were pretty much all in rain but made it to Daleville and was happy to sleep in a hotel. Bought some much needed new shoes on sale at the outfitter but did feel bad because every pair of shoes I tried on I left behind a dirt footprint. Had some great BBQ for dinner with some free banana pudding for dessert.Probaly going to head out late today and only do a few miles.

Damascus- Pearisburg Pictures

For some reason because I started the last post on actual computer it doesn't show up on my phone so I couldn't put pictures there. So here they are, yes there are alot

Pearisburg

Started writing from an actual, real-live computer at Woods Hole Hostel but never transfered over to my phone so I never got a chance to post it until now in Daleville. Arrived here the 19th around 7pm just in time for dinner, which would have probably been the best meal I've ever eaten even if I had not speed-hiked 7 miles. I'm sorry for the long delay between posts I've found that the longer I'm out here the harder and harder it is to keep this thing updated. I always plan on writing a small piece every night so that once in town I can post with no problem. That never works out so I try and write the entire thing when in town which turns out the only thing I want to do when there is eat too much food and sleep. Anyway enough excuses, its been about ---- miles since my stop in Damascus and - days. So far Virginia has been great; fantastic hiking weather, varying terrain, and different views. Definitely picking up pace, primarily doing 20+ mile days. Left Damascus at the hottest part of the day with way too much food in my stomach with a subway sandwich attached to my pack...not fun. Entered the Grayson Highlands a few days out from Damascus, the views were nice I just wish I had seen them in the warmer months (the ponies were pretty cool too). Got to Marion 5 days out of Damascus, the last being my first 30- miler and night hike. Once again bought way too much food so it felt like I had an extra small child on my back. Ate breakfast at a great place not in the guide and did 11 miles to Adkins in sleet and snow. Crammed 6 dirty hikers in a room at the Relax Inn and belive me it was not exactly relaxing. Ate at The Barn which on paper sounded much better than it was. Food was decent, service was lousy. Hiked 4 more days which offered near perfect hiking conditions, only a little cold at nights and mornings and got to Woods Hole. Decided to go to a nearby church the day after (Easter Sunday) which was very nice. Took a zero day at Woods Hole where I was supposed to do work for stay but was never asked to do anything. Slackpacked (hiking with a lighter or no pack) the 11 easy miles to Pearisburg  the day after and resupplied on food, which I think i'm improving on. Ate at a chinnese buffet that everything looked a few days old, but it could also be that I was there at 3pm. Ate even more at the hostel that night and could have possibly exploded right there.

My post from Hampton- Damascus got lost and because its been so long ago ive forgotton most of the details so i'll just run through it real quick. Did two 20+s and got to Damascus late on the 2nd. Stayed at "The Place" for 2 nights and zeroed my 2nd day in town.

Erwin- Hampton

Left Erwin around 9am after eating breakfast and.buying a few things at Uncle Johnnies.  Got to the first shelter remarkably early; 5 miles in a little over an hour. Originally planned to make a short day of 9 miles at Indian Grave Gap where Fresh Grounds was staying but apparently he packed up because threat of thunderstorms as well as other things. Pushed ....miles that day and tented at Cherry Gap Shelter. I've noticed alot of shelters in this area and very short, me being slightly taller than most. Pushed 24 miles the next day to Overmountain Shelter which is a converted red barn. Longest day I've had yet, packed up and left around 8:30 am and diddnt arrive until close to 7:45pm. Almost decided to stop at Roan High Knob shelter, which is the highest shelter on the AT (6194 feet) but figured tomorrow when raining it will be a pain. Lots of balds and good views later which enforced me moving on. (Rain + balds= not fun). Got a late start the next morning due to it raining and me reeeally not wanting wanting to move. Faced alot of unexpected balds which had winds way stronger than I would have liked, luckily the rain had stopped or it would have probaly been painful. Decided to stop in at Roan Mtn, TN to grab some lunch. After hitching to, eating, and hitching back we took 3 hours in town. Thought about staying at the hostel but decided against it due to money. Got to the shelter somewhat late, around 8:15 where there were still a few spots. Pushed a few miles the next day and got to the Kincora hostel around 1. Bob Peoples (the owner) drove everyone to town for resupply around 5. Probaly diddnt need to buy food due to my massive resupply at Erwin but I still bought some. Had a full size oven pizza and some gummy bears for dinner while reading a book about the PCT....intreeging. Just hung out in the common area until I went to bed.

Hot Springs- Erwin

Writing from the Super 8 in Erwin, TN. Been 70 miles and a little over 4 days since leaving hot springs. Definitely some of the hottest temperatures so far, mostly in the high 70s (doesn't sound too bad but when going uphill with a full pack its like walking in flames).

Left Hot Springs late around 2:30 planned to hiked 5 miles but ended up joining a train of hikers and did 10 miles to a campsite past a firetower. Slept in my tent for the the first time in 2 week and did so very well. Did 18 muddy miles the next day and got done surprisingly early, was the only one at the shelter for an hour. Glad I only did 15 miles the day after because was sore for most of the day. Planned to get up early the day after because of doing 20 miles but after being woken by thunder and a lot of rain I was thinking I could wait a little bit. Thankfully the rain stopped by 12 and never got as warm as it was supposed to.  Saw 2 boxes in different spots that once housed trail magic but were now completely empty. Rushed to Erwin the next day for fear of thunderstorms and arrived by 12:30.Ate breakfast at the sketchist gas station/convenience store ever which was surprisingly good. Had a huge plate of biscuits and gravy with 2 fried eggs and a mountain dew for 3.99. Bought food at the grocery store and instead of getting a shuttle into town (which by the way signs for them were everywhere) we carried everything 3 miles into town, not fun. Probaly bought too much food but atleast i wont be hungry.  Got to the Super 8 around 2:30, took a nice shower, and got some Mexican food later on. Left Erwin the next day after a mediocre breakfast at the hotel.