Day 8 May 23, 2014

Previous night the campsite was full of Mosquitos and flies. My Katadyn water pump was busted and someone asked if anyone had lost a sawyer water pump. I politely asked if I could have if no one claimed in the morning. Scored the Sawyer in the a.m. We hiked approximately ten miles to partnership shelter. Within the first four miles there was a lost request for the green bagged sawyer. It was taped to a tree. Of course it was the one I claimed. Without hesitation I took the sign and contact information. We were both headed to Marion. Upon getting to the motel I called and the hiker came to our room. He was grateful but I received no reward. We as people should expect no reward always do out of the kindness of your heart! Honestly I kinda wanted a reward. However I knew that I need to continue to curve my thinking on doing good deeds and expecting nothing. I will continue to do out of the kindness of my heart.

The partnership shelter was bad ass. A loft, nice shower and other cool things. Catherine got a picture with IHOP's medal today at Mt. Rogers visitors center. The 6 mile shuttle into town at 2:30 was fifty cents. We were headed to the Marion hiker homecoming. Upon arriving there was nothing there but nice trout streams. We expected free food, showers, gear vendors, etc. No time to fish due to making an executive decision to stay at the econo lodge motel. That's what every other hiker did that was a part of our shuttle. We quickly found the next shuttle. I made some young African American girls bust out laughing while on our shuttle ride. Some of them spoke French and they were 18-21 years in age. Joe mentioned he was married and they gave me a hard time about being the third wheel. One of them said it's okay you may find your soul mate on the trail. With a cute approach and big smile I said who knows maybe I will find her on this bus!! The old lady in front stated I better shower first! We all died laughing! Good times! One of them said she would take me as is! It was a neat experience. We said our goodbyes and parted ways.

We made it to the econo lodge to find out Joe reserved the motel in Marion Illinois not Marion VA. Good news was there was vacancy! KFC buffet was unbelievable! I almost put them out of business!! 5 full plates. I did laundry and I could have slept with my head in my laundry bag. Go Tide laundry detergent! Met our hiking friend CAT. He is a 60+ Chinese man and we offered him a hot shower at our room. Yes he is a thru hiker. He came by at 830 pm. to oblige. He tried to pay us five dollars but we couldn't take it. He was an awesome character. I finally washed my feet and then showered. WoW! It felt amazing after 6 days of no shower. Nick one of Joes friends stayed with us at the econo and will hike the weekend with us. He is an awesome 45 year old from Gboro.

Update blog tomorrow and re supply. Hopefully fly fish if I'm lucky.

Always an amazing sight! 

We grabbed an orange! Fresh fruit was crucial.  God won't let me be hungry or thirst so yes I will return the water pump :)

Resting hikers.

All above are partnership shelter.

Mt Rogers Visitor center.

The cute married couple with IHOP.

Day 7 May 22, 2014

Severe thunderstorms starting at 1 a.m. The thunder rolled down the mountains and lightening popped all night. An inch of rain but stayed extremely dry. Saw a large rat snake. Joe picked it up from the tail and it pulled back in striking position. Approximately 5 to 6 ft long. We were able to hike 9 miles in approximately 3 hours. We had an amazing pace and hiked 14 AT miles. My Katadyn water pump lost pressure after the fourth day of use. I will send home and get a brand new one later. It had a warranty on it. 

Catherine was kind to let me use hers. Will get a new one on Saturday. If need be, I have iodine tablets for back up. I will get the sawyer squeeze. Evidently it's the most prevalent and is easy to use.

Body feels good and I'm ready for town. I will adjust some gear and should be fully equipped. A shower will be amazing. Day 5 no shower.

I am so excited to be hiking the Appalachian Trail! I cannot believe it's really happening. 53.4 AT miles completed in five days. Excellent pace!

Rat snake. Hey there buddy!

Stay right there while I take a picture!

Joe's picture of the snake. Copyright Joe Hiatt.

Waterfall!

Rhododendron perty!

Blooming...

In the process of blooming.

IHOP and cool fungus on a tree.

I found my lady Joy Laboy's slipper. Joy is IHOPs mother. Beautiful.

Japanese friends banjo style instrument. Nice rattlesnake skin! Do it up Joe!

Nice Japanese friends. Look at those chop sticks. Cool fellas. Wilderness magazine guys. Section hiker on right thru hiker on left.

Nice shelter at our campsite. Didn't stay here tent camped. It was full. That's Jumanji on right. They call themselves the ganja gang lol.

Day 6 May 21, 2014

Great rest at Thomas knob shelter even though the wind was well over 40mph at some points in the night. Slept well. The snorers were quiet. Hung my food at the bottom of the shelter overhang. No rats at night while at the shelter nor did any steal my food. Today was a challenging day. We couldn't determine whether it was going to rain or not. Overcast all day. We took our pack rain covers out and put them on many times. Saw one pony through Grayson Highlands State Park. We were slightly bummed but new we could always return and see them again. Blisters and achy feet were common throughout the day. Roots and rocks pounded our feet.  11 AT miles. Arrived to camp at 3. Gathered water twice and set up camp at Old Orchard Shelter. Ate and went to bed. Icy Hot applied to feet, knees, shoulders and lower back. Body is feeling good but exhausted. Camp fire and company were surreal. 

Joe got a picture with the IHOP medal. Many others pictures with others are coming!!

Longhorn cattle

Fat man squeeze

Wild ponies please?

....ponies?

Unsure if you can see but it was in the distance. Windy day and overcast kept them under trees. Only saw 1 :(

Lunch with rare breed and Japanese magazine writers from the mjapanese mag called Wilderness. The line green jacket was the one thru hiking. Nice guys.

The crew at camp!

Day 5 AT May 20, 2014

Hiked the highest peak in Virginia Mt. Rogers. A deer got within 8 feet of us. Hiked 6.7 miles to Thomas Knob Shelter. Needed to cut back on miles to let the body rest. Arrived around 1:30 p.m. to enjoy the day.  R & R was appreciated as was the loft in the shelter.

Took a pic with Chestnut and IHOP medal. Chestnut was working with a chestnut outreach program to restore Chestnut trees. Neat guy with a cool beard. He was from Asheville NC.

Also, be sure to be thankful for water convenience in the American society. Never have I worked so hard for water. When your totally mentally and physically exhausted it is no excuse for not attaining water. Pumping and cleansing your water is one of the ultimate necessities out here. Some people drink out of the source directly. It's not worth the risk in my opinion.

I am beginning to smell wonderful. Wish I could share the smell with you. That may be one of the next IT innovations. Sharing digitalsmells. Day 3 no shower.

FYI Cocoa butter is excellent for chaffing :).

Deer is comin up on us.

Aw :)

White tail.

Chestnut and IHOP

Tagged in loft of Thomas knob shelter. Wish I got a picture of the shelter. Was the nicest thus far.

Day 4 AT May 19, 2014

Prayer every morning.

Hike was picturesque along the Virginia Creeper Trail. Strenuous 11.9  miles now up approx 1800 ft at elev. 5150. My view is gorgeous and the stars are so bright where I camped.

Met some awesome Christian group YWAM and others on the trail. Water pump was difficult in a heavily oxygenated spring. Way to much O2 in the water.

IHOP story was shared with a member of the Christian group known as YWAM and they loved the story and hearing of his legacy. MHTS

Wanted to fly fish so bad! Hiking is priority.

YWAM member. Youth with a mission. Interesting and excellent visioned group.

Me and IHOP on top of Buzzard Rock.

Buzzard rock view.

Thomas and I. My campsite and gorgeous view. Stars were beautiful!

The group.

IHOP kickin it with me!

Tent set up.

Glimpse of Trail Days

Distance to Maine and Georgia

IHOP pointing

Campsite by the river

 

Finn after a few drinks balancing on a log. Awesome guy who was an ex marine. Always liked positive convo and wanted it changed if negative. Was not a fan of war convo. Enjoyed my time with Finn! He watched everyone's tents to ensure it wasn't messed with.

Twelve tribes serving hot matte. Gave out free bananas. Took the time to be educated by their religion. Nice people!

My girl godly locks! Gave me a nice free hair cut from one way ministries.