The Appalachian Trail- (D. 61, 22.2 mi)

(Matts Creek Shelter --> Brown Mtn Creek Shelter) ( 799.3 mi total)

Okay, I am about to get kicked off so I will finish this post at my next library.  Unfortunately this might not be until the end of my trip.....sorry but will update then.  It has come to my attention that we will be getting some bad weather due to hurricane isaac... I hope not but hopefully all will be well on the coastline and that I will still be able to finish in time.  I am currently in Waynesboro, VA at 856 mi total....so only around 160 left!!!! Wish me luck and I can't wait to see everyone soon.
Bert

The Appalachian Trail- (D. 60, 17.7 mi)

(Cornelius Creek Shelter --> Matt's Creek Shelter) (777.1 mi total)

Ha, this is really bad but their was actually no pictures taken today.....kinda let down with myself.  Just know that I walked a lot today after I woke up and then went to bed ha.

The Appalachian Trail- (D.59, 18.4 mi)

(Bobblets Gap Shelter --> Cornelius Creek Shelter) (759.4 mi total)

I will apologize for the lack of photos here recently.....the next couple of days the trail was pretty monotonous and I didn't really feel the need to snap memories.  At this point, I am completely ready to be out of Central Virginia and into the Shenandoah National Park ha.

Nice vista from above Floyd Mtn.  

The Appalachian Trail- (D.58, 18.4 mi)

(Daleville, Va --> Bobblets Gap Shelter) (741.0 mi total)

So, today was another day spent leaving a hiking partner and hitting the road by the lonesome.  I wanted to get a long day in, hoping to run into one of the many hikers ahead of me.  I didn't take too many photos but I did manage to see the biggest Rattle Snake so far......hate em'.  The end of the day I ran into a hiker that I had been behind for about a month now named Achilles.  He was an older man of about 40 and had recently sold his parcel company in Atlanta.  After I told him I majored in Logistics we had a brief conversation about how is company was unique.  He utilized the subway system and had "rail-runners" as he called them for same day deliveries....while other companies might be stuck in downtown traffic.  Unfortunately, his father was ill and he was contemplating getting off the trail in order to go help with that.  We did manage to get a long with great conversation well into the night and then finally we hit the sack.

Thunder Ridge!!!!

Big A$$ Rattle Snake....about 5-6 ft.  Crazy coloration and a light rattle....scary.

Seeing is Believing.....well said.

The Appalachian Trail- (D.57, 15.4 mi)

(Campbell Shelter --> Daleville, VA)  (722.5 mi total)

We had a decent enough day into Daleville, VA.  It would be Squishy's last day and since he was planning on sleeping by the road on the trail in his tent, I offered to split a hotel room since I felt like it might be my last chance for a while.  We booked through the day and spent the night at the Travel Lodge.  We dined at a Mexican restaurant where we washed everything down with a couple of big gulps of Somersault Sam Adams (we got embarrassingly tipsy) and among idle conversation geo-caching came up.  I searched on my phone and we ended up finding a cache right around us......so we drunkenly found a geo-cache at the local taco bell ha and then went to hit the hay and watch the tele.  

I do this every day for 45 minutes....smiling the whole time ha.  Seriously

Tinker Cliffs, beautiful after we got screwed on McAfee's Knob.

We passed all sorts of great bouldering spots.... I couldn't believe their weren't any people despite all the chalk marks.

Beautiful view before Daleville, Va.....damn power lines again ha.

The Appalachian Trail- (D.56, 17.0 mi)

(Pickle Branch Shelter --> Campbell Shelter) (707.1 mi total)  YUP YUP for 700!

We had a heck of a day planned.....unfortunately I didn't think it would start by a 4:30 a.m. rain sesh pouring on me while I dozed in my hammock.  After that, I was ready but the rain decided not to let up and around 9'ish we decided to just hike on.  Dragons Tooth (well named) was our first obstacle for the day and I cannot say enough how difficult it is in nice weather and the rain definitely didn't make it easier.  We went at it with positive spirits and after a slow morning finally the rain let up and we had conquered Dragons Tooth.  We had a re-supply at a gas station in Glasgow, VA and then off the the infamous Home Place Restaurant (all you can eat family style cookin').  This place was ridiculous, for 15$ you got about every kind of country food item you can imagine, bread and apple butter, coffee and blueberry cobbler with ice cream......this place is literally in the middle of nowhere.  We thought it was a joke at first, because you come up on this mansion on all this property and we hadn't seen a soul all day....now we were surrounded ha.  We ate to our stomach's content and then did it again....we couldn't move for literally 2 hours after this.  We finally felt we had digested enough and pushed up the mountain to McAfee Knob for a wonderful sunset ha.  We didn't get the sunset we wanted but despite our full bellies still pulled 17 miles.  It was my grandpa's bday so I called him on top of McAfee Knob.... Happy BDAY  G-PA!!  Squishy couldn't find me so he yelled, "Robert!" I quickly responded with a loud, "SQUISHY!" not realizing I was still on the phone and prob confusing the heck out of my grandpa ha.  We arrived at the shelter in the dark and did some reading and then hit the hay.

Trying to go to my happy place in the middle of the rainstorm  (early a.m.)

Squishy's happy place doesn't look to pleasant ha.

Quick break in the fog on top of Dragon's Tooth....pretty cool when you can see.

As you can see Dragon's Tooth was some steep trail.....ha literally climbing at this portion!

Trying to dry out my gear.....it didn't work, but at this point wet feet is almost an everyday thing it seems.

Home Place restaurant....we felt right at home.  We ate this and then did another round of the same thing!

Squishy crossing the road as every hiker does it seems.....

Modelling my pack on top of McAfee Knob.  This was about the only 10 min break we got in the fog.

The Appalachian Trail- (D.55, 22.5 mi)

(Laurel Creek Shelter --> Pickle Branch Shelter) (690.1 mi total)

Today was to be a long day and so Squishy and I awoke early to get a good start.  The morning was beautiful with sunny rays and a cool breeze.  Still didn't take as many photos as I would have liked but it seemed easier to get motivated when I was hiking with someone.

Love this picture, the background almost looks like a prop.  Squishy walking through a farmers field....nice enough to let the AT go through it ha.

Keffar Oak, the largest Oak tree on the AT in the south!!!

Nice Vista, wish most of the the views in Virginia didn't have power lines in them though.

Surprise that we walked up on......

The Appalachian Trail- (D. 54, 18,5 mi)

(Pine Swamp Branch Shelter --> Laurel Creek Shelter) (667.6 mi total)

I decided to skip a day in my numbering system since I took a "0" day in Pearisburg and didn't display that.  So, today was another day spent with way too many miles and way too few photos.  Ha, the photos I did take were all within the last two hours of the day.  It was a hot day and finally towards the very end of the day I ran into someone that I had been walking behind for a week or so.... Squishy H. McTurtle Egg, I just called him Squishy.  Squishy is an Biologist/Ecologist and spends his time hiking and studying/working.  He informed that today I was in luck and that he had found some Beef Steak Mushrooms (rare), Black Mushrooms of Death (terrible name for not being poisonous), and another type I can't remember while foraging on the trail.  So, a feast was to be had.  I whipped up some rice while he cooked the mushrooms in olive oil and then we had a little family dinner at the shelter.  Despite putting a lot of trust in ol' Squishy that he actually was knowledgeable in foraging, I was pretty eager to try it out.  The mushrooms were very.......well gritty.  If it wasn't for the dirt I think the feast would have been quite delish!  We finished the night with some mint tea (that we went and found/made) and sippin' on some whiskey.  After talking on our favorite fantasy novels/series we finally hit the sack.       

A look into the wonderful cooking pot of Chef Squishy!

The chef at work.......BAM!

Squishy showing me what to look for to put into our tea for the evening.....ended up being quite delicious.  

The Appalachian Trail- (D.52, 19,3 mi)

(Pearisburg, Va Hostel --> Pine Swamp Branch Shelter) (649.1 mi total)

Hey Hey, sorry guys it has been quite a while since I have been on here.  The good news is, is that I have been making progress.  I am currently in Waynesboro, Va at the public library and unfortunately the photos are taking forever to load.  So, I will go ahead and do as much as I can until my time runs out.

Alright, I finally left Pearisburg after a good little "0" day.  I was having too much fun soaking in the great view from the hostel and not walking to say the truth.  So, I drank about 5-6 of the new java chip drinks from McDonald's and chit-chatted with MegaMind and LeftField.  The next day I finally hit the road around 12'ish.  Luckily for me Leigh decided to help me out big time and start looking for flight information and other possible ways to get home about a week ago.  She had found a cheap option and went ahead and booked it for me!!! So, officially I am heading home on the 12th of September from Washington, D.C.  Thank you again Leigh!  Back to the ol' walking thought.  I had a long day today and didn't really take too many photos, sorry folks.

I was very excited to see this AT&T cell tower in the middle of the mountain.    Bout damn time.

Some Trail Magic.... Busch beer's and Mountain Dew and Oatmeal Pie's .....this came fortunately enough right before  a 1700 ft climb!  I drank a Dew and ate a Pie, and brought a beer for my dinner later ha.

The view from just below the sign that says Kelly Knob View!

The Appalachian Trail- (D.51, 10.4 mi)

(WoodsHole Hostel --> Pearisburg, Va Hostel)  (629.8 mi total)

I awoke today to the crow of a rooster and some organic coffee made by Neville & Michael.  It was a sad day because once again I would be hiking by myself and saying good bye to Mike.  However, I know he was psyched to get back to his baby girl and wife and to rest up and re-cover.  He did treat me to some trail magic and covered my bill at the hostel (despite my attempts at not letting him).  It really is crazy the generousity people show along the trail.  We did get to spend the day helping Michael and Neville tend to the farm by moving the chicken coop.  The young chicken coop needed to be moved to the area with the older chickens so they could become a little more acclimated with each other and not kill each other ha.  So, I got to have a new experience and handle chickens which was definitely interesting.  Despite my reluctance to leave, I finally hit the road around 12:30 to take on the 10.4 miles plus 3 or 4 to the hostel in Pearisburg where I currently am at the library.  Pretty interesting, my friend Emily Dawson had told me about this book a long time ago that she thought I would like called Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.  Well, as luck would have it I found it in a shelter (OverMountain Shelter) about 2 weeks ago.  I have since read it twice and loved it.....ready to find the next one.  Random enough though, the inside of the book simply said, "MegaMind" in hand written script.  Well, I currently am staying with MegaMind and his girlfriend in the Hostel I am at.....crazy how things work ha.  We thought it quite the funny coincidence. 

Get outta my coop'

Michael & Neville, great host with quite a cool thing going on at WoodsHole Hostel... I definitely recommend a stay.

Yeah, Abby knows how to handle chickens....



Neville & Mike trying to catch a chicken for some picture opps ha.  A little harder than one might think.

Mike set out to catch a chicken....and succeeded.  Thanks again Mike, hope you well in the future!

Milk Goats enjoying the view.

The rooster, he owns the ladies in this coop.  Michael said their was 7 more last week..... I wonder what happened to them?  Hopefully it didn't have anything to do with the chicken rice we ate last night.....

Eggs all day erry day.

Bunk House at WoodsHole Hostel....I did some serious relaxing on that hammock checkin' out the view and hanging with the dogs.  (Shower house on the left).  Also had a outhouse where you could do your business with a mountain view to pass time.

MegaMind, he has been hiking with hike Gibson Backpacker Guitar.....pretty cool.  He is learning how to finger pick on the trail and had some pretty good tunes already.

The Appalachian Trail- (D. 50, 20.4 mi)

(Jenny Knob Shelter --> WoodsHole Hostel)  (619.4 mi total)

Today Mike and I awoke early (5:15 a.m.) built a morning fire and then hit the road.  Mike wasn't feeling up to par but we both wanted to pull a big day and get to the WoodsHole Hostel where Mike had a re-supply waiting.  The day was long but we were able to get a lot done early in the morning, but as the day progressed Mike continually felt worse and worse.  Eventually he informed me that he would probably have to leave the trail after we stayed at the hostel.  I think the combination of his health and him missing his 8 month old daughter and wife was really taking a toll on him (to a point I know how he feels, missing your loved ones gets to you after a while in the woods).  So, we finally made it to my favorite place I have stayed so far..... Neville and Michael (owner's of WoodsHole) are truly great people and have a great/relaxing place. 

Early bird catches the worm, foggy skies around 6:45 a.m. 

Suspension bridge, whoaaaa.

The kind of print you don't want to see!

Abby Normal just got funky on Mini-muffins but is feeling like a zombie.

Panoramic View.....izzz pretty nice when the weather's nice.

WoodsHole Hostel....this place is da bomb.  They grow all their own vegetables/raise chickens/milk goats/etc.

Ha, shower was a little outhouse on the side of the mountain....I left the shade open and showered to a view, amazing.

Laundry.....must admit I was unfamiliar with these tools.  How do you turn this thing on?

Home-made bread, cucumber/tomatoe salad with chicken rice and soup.

The house was built in the 1860's, but they still managed to have a movie for Mike and I.....Real Steel.  (ha, I prolly wouldn't recommend it)