Sept. 13, 14 mi.
Was on the trail by 8:48am. Gary wasn’t kidding when he said be’d be out before the sun came up. He was up & moving around @ 5am, out by 7 or earlier. I don’t remember, as I was in & out of sleep as he got ready. 19 mi was what he mentioned that he wanted to do today. Hope he made it safely. I popped a blister on my 4th toe of the right foot, bandaged it up & if felt so much better than yesterday. Everything felt pretty good today hiking!
Coming down Brushy Mtn, the trail follows VA 615 for almost a mile before turning back into the woods. As I was walking the gravel road, who else comes driving toward me in a rental car but the firemen, Bret & Mark! They pulled over & we talked for at least 40 mins. The last day I saw them they pushed on for 23 mi into Atkins; I didn’t think they’d make it. They reached Atkins @ 7:45pm, got a room @ Relax Inn & ate a rewarding meal @ McDonald’s! Haha. At that time, nothing else was open.
My griping about their snoring & loud morning manners were defused big time when they gave me the rest of their denatured alcohol, a bag of Cliff Bars, Hershey Bars, peanuts, Gatorade mix & a Mtn House Meal, chili mac w/ beef! I ate it tonight, it was awesome! Thanks guys, I owe ya!
There was also some more trail magic in a styrofoam cooler @ the point where the trail darts back into the woods; two Gatorades & a New Testament wrapped in a Ziplock. I packed away a grape GA for tomorrow; thank you to whomever!
When I came down to USFS 282, the trail followed another gravel road to a paved road (US 21/52). I think it was called North Scenic Parkway; it’s not listed as Rte 52 until you reach the center of Bland, so I was unsure if I was headed in the right direction. Gary told me to go right, the book says 2.5 w, & I was headed for the setting sun!
Before heading toward Bland, I initially walked over the I-77 crossing & reached Kimberling Creek, before realizing I’d gone too far. I was a bit upset w/ myself. Then I hoofed to Bland in 45 mins or so from the point where the trail hits US 21/52.
In Bland, I hit Bruce’s Market for a couple more days of food. Once again, not a great selection, but it’ll keep me alive. I had a signal, so I plugged in my phone outside the market & called Beth.
I walked most of the way back from Bland, when a woman & her young son gave me a lift in their minivan. They drove me just a few mins up the road, but it was a welcomed & appreciative rest; thank you guys!
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~Steve, The Pilgrim.
