Eastern Continental Divide.jpg

Eastern Continental Divide.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

I thought I would share this site with you all, and since Dana has informed me that she is teaching her class about geography.

I am in the Sinking Creek Mountains at the eastern continental divide! The water that runs off the western side goes to the Mississippi River & into the Gulf of Mexico. The water running off the eastern side empties into the James river & eventually into the Atlantic Ocean. Cool.

Stony Creek Forge.jpg

Stony Creek Forge.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 45: April 18th. Today we got to forge our first creek. I guess in 2004, hurricaine Jeannie took out the Stony creek bridge, and there was a 1.5 mile road walk detour. But, obviously we missed the detour signs and came upon the creek. We decided to throw caution out the window and forge ahead. It was only ankle deep, but ice cold. So, we put on our crocks and made it across safely. We are still purists. lol. We also thought it would be good practice for Maine! We couldnt believe it's been 4 years now & the bridge is still out. Hmmm...

We officially did 18.5 miles today, which puts us at 661.8 miles from Springer & 1514.4 miles from Katahdin. It was very hot today, and I probably didnt drink enough water throughout the day, cause we we dragging near the end. It could of been that Kelly's Knob climb was actually pretty difficult too. Hopefully tomorrow will be cooler. They are calling for chance of rain.

Wow, just found out Lafayette had a 5.4 earthquake! Unreal.

Shepherd.

Pine Swamp Branch Shelter.jpg

Pine Swamp Branch Shelter.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 44: April 17th. CJ & I are at The shelter where a tree fell on the roof in 2007. I dont believe anyone was hurt, but as you can see the roof is now missing. It was suppose to be fixed by 2008. Though there is no threat of rain tonight, so we are sleeping here for tonight.

We are officially 643.3 miles from Springer & 1532.9 miles from Katahdin. We did 19.3 miles today in the sun! Beautiful hiking weather.

Yesterday Amee & I went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner & then found a cold stone cremery, which has the best ice cream we know of! I had my usual mint mint chocolate chip...yummy.

It was harder for me leaving Amee this time than it was is Hot Springs, and just the opposite for her. Virginia is definetly long and monotonous, but Lord willing I only have 19 more days in this state! I am looking forward to Shenadoah national forest though.

Shepherd.

Dartman.jpg

Dartman.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

This is Dartman. I met him on day 31. He thru-hiked in 2001 and actually hiked with a hiker named shepherd. I actually got to talk with 2001 shepherd. Too funny.

He is a very nice guy who loves to talk and eat ramps, which he will tell you about. Ramps are like a wild onion that can be found on the trail. Adds flavor to trail food.

He got his trail name cause he carried his own darts with him on his 2001 hike, and actually played some games in the northeast.

Dirty Dancing.jpg

Dirty Dancing.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 43: April 16th. Today we have just been chilling in Pearisburg & Christiansburg. There isnt much to do and see, but one thing of interest is that they filmed part of Dirty Dancing at a resort here in Pearisburg. It is called Blue Mountain Resort. They were still closed for the season, so we were limited on what we could see. Still it was fun.

We are now trying to resolve the free advertizing I am giving Verizon on my blog.

Shepherd.

sorry for the finger in the photo.

Pearisburg, VA

Day 42: April 15th.

Got into Pearisburg at 11:30 and immediately went to the Pizza Hut's AYCE lunch buffett with CJ, Rat Sandwhich, Matthew & Five Bags. We put a dent in their profits today! lol. 5 hungry hikers and pizza! Yeah baby. We did a short 8.2 miles into town, so we are officially 624 miles from Springer & 1552.2 miles from Katahdin!

Amee got into town at around 1:30 and we checked into the hotel. I got a shower and we went to wash my clothes and go to the post office! With a side trip to Dairy Queen for another Blizzard!

Pastor Scott! Got the package and the goodies! THANK YOU so much! I loved the Mouse-B-Gone stickers! Also I havent read that book and I needed some new reading material! Thanks again! Will let you know what I think of it! Also I think I will go with the coffee system and try to make some more friends on the trail with free coffee! Thanks for the system and the coffee and filters...way more than I had expected. I love to lighten my pack!! To God be the glory!

Then we went to Virginia Tech and ate at Boston Beanery, which was delicious! Tomorrow is the one year anniversery of the VT shootings, so there are alot of news vans around and vigils planned for tomorrow. We may try to check it out if we can find it. CJ actually is a graduate of VT, so he will be there.

Well enjoying my rest days with Amee. Time to chill and watch a movie.

Debbie: Yes, tell Doug I use my pepsi can stove every night! It has worked wonders. I even gave one of my 2 extras to a guy who needed to go lighter with his pack. He was very thankful! Grandma, I love you! Hope you enjoy reading about my adventures!

Margie: Thanks for the mention of leaving the day with my posts. I have been actually thinking about doing that, but thought it showed when I posted. It actually only shows the time. So that will be a future addition! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Lakewood: It is too ironic. As I sit here at this computer at the Motor Lodge Inn, I looked over and on their pinup board is your "thank you" picture at Katahdin! Too funny. It is the first time Amee has seen a pic of you ..I believe. I am hoping my beard gets as long as yours was! lol.

Dynamite.jpg

Dynamite.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

This is Dynamite, who is from New Hampshire. He use to go to Cornell but is transfering to UNH I believe. He Plays soccer and is a goalie. He has a trail journal on trailjournal.com.

He got his trail name cause he looks like Napolean Dynamite.

Dismal Falls.jpg

Dismal Falls.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 41: April 14th. Well today we hiked 22.2 official miles, but actually hiked 23.8 miles when you factor in our side trips. We are officially past the 600 mile mark at 615.8 miles from Springer & 1560.4 miles from Katahdin. We are at the Doc Knob shelter. It is 8.2 miles from Pearisburg.

Today we went to Trent's grocery for lunch and had a cheeseburger and fries. We also got a sandwhich to go for dinner. Then we went to Dismal falls, which some one said it was like a mini-niagra falls. Far from it as you can see from the picture, but it was still pretty cool.

Today we got snowed on again. It snowed about 1/2 inch! Woo Hoo. It was better than rain though. Hopefully this is the last cold spell.

Matthew, CJ, 5 bags & Rat sandwhich are here. Rat sandwhich actually killed a mouse in the shelter and skewered it up & cooked it. Then ate the mouse meat on a cracker. He has pictures to prove it. Very cool.

Shepherd.

Clifbars.jpg

Clifbars.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 40: Well we officially hiked 23.8 miles to Jenny Knob shelter. We are 593.2 miles from Springer & 1583.0 miles from Katahdin.

Nothing much happened today except a lot of ridge hiking. It did snow on us this morning, which is a lot better than rain! So we had some wicked weather here lately. Two days ago it was in the 80's and today snow! Tomorrow is calling for more snow. Yeah.

Here at the shelter is 5 bags, Matthew, CJ, Flying House of Steve and his 10 year old daughter, Necter. They are thruhiking as well.

Also about the pic. I tried my first Clifbar yesterday, and it was the best energy bar I have tasted. 4 stars here!

About yesterdays post, I started the fire to dry out my clothes, which I washed due to all the salt! I am not sure if I mentioned it or not.

Also sorry about the Verizon ads at the end of my posts. I am not sure why they are there & Amee just informed me of them today. Will try to correct the problem in Pearisburg. I hope they are not to distracting.

Shep.

Cowboy Killer.jpg

Cowboy Killer.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

This is the infamous Cowboy Killer...aka Sam. He grew up in Maryland but goes to school at Georgia Tech.

He got his name after killing a cowboy in Reno. lol. No he actually got it because he smokes a lot, and CJ named him Cowboy Killer. Cause cigarettes killed the Marborlo Cowboy.

So the you have it.

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Gods Thumbpint.jpg

Gods Thumbpint.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 39: This is a picture of God's thumbprint or also known as Burkes Garden. It is a large , crater-shaped depression surrounded all around by high ridges. It was the first choice for the Vanderbuilts to build their Biltmore estate. It was very beautiful. The best thing I have seen in a few days.

Officially we hiked 19.1 miles today. We are 569.4 miles from Springer & 1606.8 miles from Katahdin.

It was nice to have CJ back with us, and his humor! We are staying at the Jenkins Shelter tonight with Matthew, Bobcat & Trailmix. We got a nice fire started cause I rinsed off my clothes today cause they were caked in salt from my sweat. It was bad. They could of stood up by themselves.
3 more days till Amee!

Shepherd.

Fence ladders.jpg

Fence ladders.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 38: Well officially hiked 13.9 miles today to Knot Maul Shelter. We are 550.3 miles from Springer & 1625.9 miles from Katahdin. We have now finished 25.3% of the trail! Yeah baby!

Today it was HOT! It got up to 83 degrees, and it was the toughest day in a while due to the heat. I was sweating buckets. Plus today we went over about 12 fence ladders, cause we hiked through alot of pastures. Felt like being at Hostetler farm! Had to watch where you stepped while saying hi to the cows. Wished I had the Gator though.

Did get to see my first wild turkey today. It was huge. CK is here. Still no sign of Dynamite and CJ yet.

note: CJ came in at 7 pm! Yeah! welcome back.

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Widowmaker and Molassas.jpg

Widowmaker and Molassas.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

This is Widowmaker & Molassas. I met them at Wise shelter. Widowmaker thru-hiked in 2007 & actually met Lakewood. Small world. He brought Molassas out for a 4 day hike through the highlands to Damascus. He got his trailname after a tree fell on him when he was sleeping before Neel's gap.

They are both from Ohio. OH - IO. lol. It was molassas' first night on the AT. She hardly got any sleep during the night cause she kept hearing the mice and the animal prowling around our shelter. We told her it will get better & she will get sleep soon.

They are both believers in Christ, which was pretty cool. Got to hear Widowmaker's testimony. To God be the glory.

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Red Barn.jpg

Red Barn.jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Day 37: Well officially hiked 22 mikes today in like 7 hours! We were on fire. I can see how hikers put in long mileage through Virginia. Lots of nice flat areas and grated hills...very nice! We are 536.4 miles from Springer & 1639.8 miles from Katahdin.

Today it was hot! Temp up to 81 degrees. Actually hiked in shorts for the first time today. Thought it was about time to get some sun on my white chicken legs. It was great.

Also we lost one more of our 4 horseman today. Dynamite stayed back at Partnership shelter due to blister problems. So it is only Cowboy Killer and I for now, but I am sure the 4 horseman will ride again together soon. Still missing CJ.

We also had pizza delivered to us for lunch at the Partnership shelter. It was the nicest shelter so far, and had a shower which was not on yet. Had a small supreme pizza. Very delicious. Excellent hiking food.

Andrew: thanks for your help. greatly appreciate it!

Shepherd.

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Interesting sign .jpg

Interesting sign .jpg, originally uploaded by Hikingfool.

Came upon this sign about a mile from Partnership shelter. It seems alittle out of place cause it only takes about 3 steps to cross a road for a hiker. Plus what are the speed limits for hikers, and are the fines doubled for speeding! lol. Well we got a laugh from it!

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