Day 50 Heading to Pearisburg

wed 30th May.

It took me ages to go off to sleep . over tired not sure.
But I was excited to get into town grab a room and do nothing .
I was up by 6.30 made a brew and was quickly packed and on the trail by 7.30.
It was another damp foggy morning as I set off along the trail. I passed through numerous rhododendron tunnels and because of the dark misty morning it was entering a cave, it was so dark in places I couldn’t see where I was going and due to all the rain that had been falling parts of the trail were lakes . As I had new socks on I tried to avoid these as best as I could.

I pushed on and on and began to climb soon appearing on the ridge, up here it was cold and so I needed to hike faster to warm up.
I think about stopping to put my jacket on but pushed on. I then came across a familiar face, it was bob who was packing up his tent.
We said our normal hellos then I was on my way. But he would soon catch me .
The trail dipped and climbed as I made my way through the mist. I then heard voices behind me it was Bob and happy Feet who had caught me.
We gave each other abuse as I watched them fade into the mist.
It must be the season as I passed under certain trees I got covered in tiny caterpillars or Inch worms .as my American friends say . They were a pain to brush off.
The trail now began to now descend, it would be at least 3 hrs to get to the road but the trail likes to surprise surprises you so I then had huge rock steps which were very steep and slippery to navigate down .. Such fun! omg. Then for more fun an assortment of rock to clamber over and lastly slick slippy clay to descend down . I lost my grip twice and crashed to the ground swearing. once again, I wiped myself down and continued.
At last I arrived on the road my shoes caked in mud. I scuffed them along the road to clean them the best I could.
There was about a mile road walk to get to Town, Once in the town I went straight to the garage and brought some coke before heading off towards the motels.
Dam no vacancies . I tried the next one ,the same full up.
Both were full of construction workers who were working on a new pipeline .
Several hikers suggested the hostel
So I made my way across the road and down towards the supermarket , The hostel was somewhere behind it and I should follow the signs !!

Once behind the super market I was lost in other words where was the hostel?
As I stood there several hikers appeared out of long grass several yards away.
I walked toward where they had appeared and found the path to the hostel.
As I walked in there were numerous huts and tents and picnic benches with hikers eating drinking and chilling .
I found reception and booked in , sadly no rooms but tenting will do me
I found a spot and put up my tent then went for a shower, oh that felt so good.
once clean I did my laundry before heading to the post office. as I entered, I met Handstand who was picking up her re-supply Box, I posted my worn-out socks then headed back to the hostel . On the way back I popped into the grocery store and brought beer, ice cream and some food for dinner.
Once back at the hostel I found out there was a shuttle to Walmart, so I decide to go for a ride . I didn’t want much but managed to spend $50 I also brought a small bottle of bourbon, for these cold nights !
Once back I grabbed a beer and began to wade through a big bag of cherries that I had just purchased , I passed then around to my fellow hikers. who were now gathered around the fire pit .
We sat drinking and chatting as Papa Smurf made a fire

It as also shapes birthday and she spent the whole day cooking for every one.
At 10 pm the feast was unveiled and wow what an amazing spread she had made. Followed by an amazing cake. after all that food it was bed.