Day 57 (6/2/14)
Starting: Daleville, VA: 724.0
Ending: Wilson Creek Shelter: 735.2
Total Miles: 11.2
Our first day on the trail hiking with friends! We met up with James and Barbara in the morning to map out our next four days together, our plan was to average around 14 miles per day.
It was great having James and Barbara with us on the AT. James introduced me to hiking on the AT in 2012 at Benchmark's annual fundraising backpack trip, this was also the last time we've hiked together so I was excited to be back on the trail with him and Barbara.
It was nice to have friends out there with us because our days are typically very quiet. When you spend every minute with someone and share every experience with someone it doesn't leave much to talk about. It was also nice to have someone to help us stop and "smell the roses." We typically keep our heads down and tick off the miles without stopping to take in the scenery much.
The first part of the hike went along several roads then eventually followed along the Blue Ridge Parkway crossing the Parkway a few times.
The shelter we stayed at that night turned out being the busiest we've seen since Damascus, with at least ten other hikers staying there. Turns out we were in a mini bubble of people.
The first day was a great day of hiking and getting caught up.
Day 58
Starting: Wilson Creek Shelter: 735.2
Ending: VA 614, Jennings Creek: 752.2
Total Miles: 17
We got on the trail today around 8. We had our biggest mileage day with James and Barbara. Luckily the profile was pretty flat so we were able to make good timing. We crossed over the Blue Ridge Parkway many times today and got a chance to see some great overviews.
We ended the day at Jennings Creek. The water was right by our campsite and it felt great to put our feet in the cold water after a long day of hiking. We set up camp and made dinner. James and Barbara shared some of their chicken and cornbread with us. It was one of our best meals on the trail yet!
Jennings Creek
Day 59
Starting: VA 614, Jennings Creek: 752.2
Ending: Thunder Hill Shelter: 766.2
Total Miles: 14
Happy 26th wedding anniversary to James and Barbara!! A couple that hikes together stays together.
We had a few big climbs today with some great views from overlooks that Jessica and I would have walked right past had we not been with James and Barbara. Today peaked at 4,225 feet at an old Air Force radar base on a meadow that offered some amazing long distance views.
Us at an overlook.
Barbara and James at a big boulder at an overlook.
We also passed under The Guillotine, a large boulder stuck over the trail between two huge boulders. I couldn't help but think of the movie 127 Hours when we walked under it, thankfully it stayed in place.
Me and Jessica at The Guillotine
We had a good day of hiking and sharing stories but the skies were overcast and rain seemed imminent. We just made it to the shelter when the rain started. It only lasted for about an hour. After the rain subsided we found a great tent site tucked away in the woods, away from the bubble we had been hiking with all along. After finishing dinner the skies opened up and it turned into a pretty fierce thunderstorm. Thankfully we had our tents already set up so we slipped into the shelter of our tents for the night.
Day 59
Starting: Thunder Hill Shelter: 766.2
Ending: VA 130, James River: 780.8
Total Miles: 14.6
Most of our big climbs were out of the way for the rest of our hike with James and Barbara. We made good timing during the day and stopped for a quick lunch at a campsite. At the campsite there was a hiker still sleeping in their tent, but their dog wanted to hang out with us during lunch. He was really sweet and well behaved. He just wanted us to make sure we knew he was available to eat any leftovers if we needed him to.
The rest of the hike was relatively easy and ended at the James River Foot Bridge. It's the longest foot bridge on the AT.
After crossing the bridge we headed to the nearby road to wait for our shuttle to pick us up. We had a plan to get James' car after the hike and possibly stay in the city of Glasgow's pavilion or hike a couple miles past James River and stay at the first shelter. These plans completely changed in our shuttle back to Daleville. I sat in front with the shuttle driver and was making small talk when he offered all four of us to stay at his house, dinner, a hot shower and laundry. In my head I immediately said yes but wasn't sure how James and Barbara would feel about staying in a strangers house on their hiking trip.
The shuttle driver thru hiked with his family, which included an 8 and 11 yr old in 2002. He now maintains a large section of the trail and occasionally houses thru hikers.
James and Barabara said it was up to us and I said yes. This was by far the best trail magic we've recieved thus far. It once again reflects the immense generosity and kindness of people that we continue to experience.
We had a great conversation over dinner getting to know each other. Their daughter and son-in-law stopped by for dinner too. She was 11 when she thru hiked with her family and it was fun hearing her perspective of the trail. The entire family is still very involved with the trail, hiking and maintaining it. It was very special to be invited into their home and share a meal with them and we were all immensely grateful for it.
We had a great time sharing our adventure with James and Barbara and appreciate them coming to join us.
We plan to do some big miles over the next few days. And will hit the Shenandoah National Park on Tuesday.
Happy Trails!
Z and Gia
Thanks for letting Barbara and I join you on your thru-hike and allowing us to slow you down. You're doing great. Enjoy every step.
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