Ready Push – Days 126 thru 130

Ready

We met Ready on day 5 of our adventure. We heard him on day 4 talking to Meriwether’s colleague, Ryan, at Cornelius Creek Shelter. We were already in our tent. On day 4 Ready shouted hello as we were leaving the campsite. We then chatted for awhile as he was passing Matt’s Creek Shelter where we had stopped for the evening. We would not see Ready again until New York where we started hiking with him until mid Vermont. Ready is the most experienced and confident person we have met our here. He is also super positive and fun to be around. He has encouraged, coached, and motivated in a low key, non intrusive manner. If Meriwether and I are the main characters in this story, Ready is our Gandalf.

Day 126 – Dennis Cove Road / Black Bear Resort to Iron Mountain Shelter

The rain started before I fell asleep, then it actually lulled me to sleep. Something about the sound of rain on the roof. I hope you know what I mean.

It was still raining, hard, when we got up this morning. We took our time getting ready. We found a bunch of extra stuff to do. Please stop raining.

At 5:30 we ran out of chores and set off. The rain continued for the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. Laurel Falls, the creek, Watauga Lake were all beautiful in the rain.

We saw no one until early afternoon. A huge family were out for a 5 day backpacking trip. They were so ready to be off the trail. They told us about two guys who were blocking the trail and asking for food. Our plans would take us right past them. They were there, but not blocking the trail, they had a sign out instead.

Shortly after passing the “we need food” sign, we passed a young group of boys from a camp out for a short backpacking trip. They were having a blast. I thanked the young leader for introducing the boys to backpacking.

At the shelter we met another grandfather out with his grandson. The grandfather, Arch, is doing the trail in 400 mile chunks. This is his grandson’s first trip, they are doing about 50 miles. I can hear them now excitedly talking to the boy’s mom. The boy is hooked.

The sun finally came out as we were setting up our tent. I am looking forward to sleeping outside and away from the mice.

Squint and you might be able to make out a sun beam.

Damascus is our goal for tomorrow, it will be good to be back in Virginia. Our friend, Ready, wants to go through the Mount Rogers area with us. We are really looking forward to seeing him again.

Day 127 – Iron Mountain Shelter to Damascus / Dancing Bear Hostel 

Nothing to report from last night. We slept. No mice, bears, or other animals woke us. Perhaps we were just too tired to notice.

10 by 9, 20 by 1, Damascus by 3. Not bad for two slightly past middle aged hikers. My advice to you, take your time. 142 days is not enough time. Meriwether is a teacher her school wants her back for the 1st contract date so she can go to a bunch of meetings. We are too young/poor to retire, so we take what we can get.

We have been here before!

You know that noise used to call a dog or cat, kind of a clicking noise. Not a great noise to make to a bear. They start to come towards that noise too. Very quickly. A loud roar, however, will make them turn and run. Then I got scolded by Meriwether.

Can I pet that dog?

My eyes started tearing up as we approached the Tennessee/Virginia border. The remained teary almost all the way to Damascus. It could have been the music, more likely getting back to my home state, most likely that the end of this adventure is in site. We still have over 200 miles, more than 10% of the trail remains.

Damascus has been fun. New shoes from the outfitter. Dinner at the diner. Ice cream at the parlor. Wanted either beer or whiskey at the brewery/distillery but decided that could wait.

More work on the plan for the next two weeks. As usual the days will be either too long or too short. There is going to be some hostel hopping. Crap, I just realized that I spelled hopping incorrectly in my last post.

Day 128 – Damascus / Dancing Bear Hostel to Lost Mountain Shelter

We tried to take it easy in Damascus this morning. We slept until 6. Didn’t get to the grocery store until close to 8. Got to the diner for breakfast at 9. Hit the trail at 10. It was only 2 when we got to our intended campsite, decided to push on. We covered over 140 miles in the last week.

The diner was packed when we got there. One table had just opened and we were able to grab it. A few minutes later two women about our age came in, we had space for 4 so we invited them to join us.

What a great time we had talking to them. They are from Anderson, SC. Both retired early, both involved in education. Their leisure time is spent day hiking and riding bikes. There is a big bike event in Damascus this weekend to raise money for cancer research.

When we got up to pay, I saw a family wearing T-shirts from a Roanoke business. While chatting with them, the two women we dined with paid our bill. Wow. Probably the biggest thing I am taking away from this trip is how amazingly generous people are.

These women were the second trail angels of the day. An older man randomly stopped and offered us a ride back into town from the grocery store. We had given up hitching, from a distance we look kinda sketchy. Actually we look pretty sketchy from close up too.

My first week long backpacking trip was about 45 years ago. We hiked North on the AT from Damascus to just North of Old Orchard. Theoretically I retraced the first 15 miles of that trip today. I imagine the trail has been moved a bit. The Creeper Trail did not exist back then. I do remember a long rail bridge we crossed, no sides, big gaps between the railroad ties. I remember camping next to a large creek.

Tomorrow we should pass Elk Garden, Thomas Knob, Wise, and perhaps Scales and Old Orchard. I have been to these places so many times both as a youth and an adult.

After Old Orchard there is one section of trail that I haven’t hiked as an adult. From Route 603 to Interstate 77, about 80 miles. I am really looking forward to those miles. Almost as much as I am looking forward to getting home. Part of me wishes this adventure would never end.

I didn’t get teary today. I enjoyed the forest. I enjoyed the nice weather. We didn’t walk too fast. I sent a few texts to family with a tentative date for a symbolic finish hike up to McAfees Knob. When we get to Trent’s Grocery we will have completed the trail in less than 12 months. When we get to the parking lot on 311 we will have finished the trail in one push.

I can’t believe the end is so near. Thanks for the opportunity for this adventure. Thanks for all the people that helped along the way.

Day 129 – Lost Mountain Shelter to Old Orchard Shelter

No animal visits woke us last night. Hopefully this will be the norm for the duration.

Today we hiked on one of my favorite places, the Mount Rogers / Grayson Highlands. I have backpacked in this area dozens of times as a youth and adult. I brought my sons and their friends here many Labor Day weekends. Meriwether and I spend at least one weekend each year backpacking here. I was really looking forward to this part of our trip.

As we approached Thomas Knob the thunder clouds started rolling in and the sky darkened. We never got rain or thunder but one of my fears is being above tree line in a thunderstorm. We hiked fast.

There were many fewer people in the area than I thought. We are here on a weekend and this is a pretty popular place. We did meet some section hikers and a nice couple out backpacking with their 17 month old son.

Ready and I have been texting for the last few days. He met us at Old Orchard with sub sandwiches, chips, and cherries. We spent way too many hours reminiscing about the trail and talking about people we have met.

Typical water delivery system.

The rain has started in earnest. It is supposed to rain all day tomorrow too. Meriwether wants to knock out another 24 miles and get to Marion. It would be nice, but these trails turn to rivers with rain like this. I’m not sure I can walk that long with sopping wet feet.

Day 130 – Old Orchard Shelter to VA 16 / Mt Rogers Headquarters / Merry Hiker Inn

The rain continued most of the night. At 4, when Meriwether’s alarm went off, it had stopped. We would make it about 3 miles before the rain started again. Until lunch time, which happened to be at 11 today, the rain was much better than sweat. My pants were mostly dry, my socks were dry, my shirt was barely damp.

We stopped at the next shelter, about 14 miles in, for lunch. While there the heavens opened and we considered building an ark. First things first, eat lunch. About the time we were ready to set out again the rain slowed.

The rain did not dampen our spirits. Our friend, Ready, was with us to encourage us on. We talked gear, favorite places on the AT, the next adventure. Being on the trail is fantastic any day, being on trail with someone as positive as Ready is phenomenal.

Our plan was the Merry Inn in Marion. Meriwether likes the name, so that is where we are going.

The rain let up early afternoon and the trail is in great condition. We made it to the Mt Rogers Headquarters shortly after 3 and were on our way to Marion shortly after that.

The three of us have the hostel to ourselves. Meriwether and I took a taxi to Ingles for resupply while Ready took a shower. After we were all cleaned up we went to Macadoos for dinner. The menu there has not changed in 30 plus years. I did not get the Macadoos Flyer during this visit.

Tomorrow might be another short day. There is an alpaca hostel in the next town. If the weather is poor, we will probably stop there.

Today I am thankful for people like Ready. He gave up a couple days to come backpack in the rain with us. We didn’t ask him to, he just knew we might need a little boost and was happy to provide it.

In case you are wondering, no mice in the shelter last night. There was a very bold one running through our stuff while we were eating breakfast, but it never got into anything.