Finding My Rhythm

April 6, 2023

Hello from Montebello, VA at mile 828 NoBo [Trail terminology for Northbound] on the Appalachian Trail.

The Guillotine, Apple Orchard Mountain, March 31

Last year, I mentioned a number of folks, including my family, in a bit of a dedication. This year I would like to add all of you who take the time to read this blog and send messages of encouragement, as well as to the newest love of my life, Arthur “Bear” Colvin. “Don’t grow up too much while I am away.” My supreme Trail Angel Pam, aka “Tick Magnet”, this trek’s for you. I noticed you never looked back when you left me at the Daleville trailhead… your loss as apparently I am reasonably good looking from a few hundred feet. 

Sponge FOB Pouty Pants:

What a difference a year makes! Pam mentioned how the prep and logistics this year were easier because we knew what to expect. In 2022, I was immediately overjoyed to be on the trail, and that feeling lasted 730 miles. This year, I was miserable right off the hop. My pack was WAY too heavy as I had purposely set out with 8 days of food due to limited resupply options, but I also packed for the appetite I had when I got off the trail last May. I had no appetite for the first 6 days and had to force feed myself. Water was scarce, I had toe blisters after 2 days, and absolutely no stamina or confidence. My Us Girls friends back home would tell me to get my head outta my butt and just HAVE MORE FUN!!!

I perked up with messages from home and a chance encounter with Tracy, who along with sister, Kim, I had met last year! By April 2, I was feeling stronger and regaining my appetite. I was able to give some of my food to a guy who really needed it, and I met Poppy Walking and dog Raisin. We have been hiking together for 4+ days. The weather is unseasonably hot ("Poor baby," say those of you wishing winter would vamoose!) and the winds are significant.  With no leaves in the canopy, sunburn and dehydration are issues.

I encounter very few hikers because I got on the trail well ahead of 'the bubble” who begin March and April in Georgia. Most of those I meet started in January or February and are well on their way to Maine. Starting in Daleville has meant 300 miles of very significant UPS and DOWNS, but the terrain will moderate in about 200 miles (West Virginia/Maryland). The sketchiest night so far was at 4000’ on Thunder Hill, March 31. Gale-force winds and rain for 15 hours.

After a Sketchy Night on Thunder Hill

I had my very first shelter-experience at Bryant Ridge [up until now, I have slept exclusively in my tent]. I shared the shelter with Chris, who doused himself with some nasty body spray to kill the funk. I set my sleeping bag at least 20 feet from him, but I swear I was exhaling that crap all the next morning long.

Looking North on Top of Bluff Mountain

Apparently the phone number I was given at T-Mobile is a recycled one. I keep getting messages from a dental clinic in Roanoke for “Noah”. I’ve a good mind to book him a couple of root canals.

Speaking of body funk (which we were folks, please keep up with me!) I just scored a shower, albeit a cool one. Prior to that, I was fouler than a henhouse after Chilli Night. Better now. Also scored my first BLT at Hog Camp Gap the other day -- the Lyme spreading tick, not the sandwich.

Monument to Ottie Cline Powell, Bluff Mountain

The area and mountains around the James River were particularly picturesque. Other noteworthy findings was the grave marker of young Ottie Cline Powell atop Bluff Mountain. In 1890, the 4-year-old went into the woods to collect firewood for his schoolhouse and never returned. At Brown Mountain Creek Valley, I came across the remnants of a freed slave community.

Bloodroot

Critters: turkeys, spring peepers, deer, chipmunks, squirrels, ravens, vultures, jays, cardinals, junkos, towhees, nuthatches, salamanders, coyotes, Barred Owls, miscellaneous woodpeckers including Pileated, and the ever elusive American Robin.

Gray Tree Frog -- rarely seen on the ground
  except in breeding season

Trail Names: Jeff and Maila, Ope from E. Palestine, Ohio (you know, the train wreck place), three ladies coming down from Old Orchard Mountain trying to “find their way and do math” “Skip the math and go down” was my sage advice, Mathieu from Montreal, Bill on the hill, who asked me where to duck hunt up in Canada, Rembrandt from NC, Gray Gote from Texas and Pocahontas from Indiana, Chexxi Cao and Yifan Feng from Blacksburg VA, Norman from the Natural Bridge ATC Club, Alice, Magic Hands, Weatherman* (his moniker more to do with anarchy than meteorology) from Catskills area of NY, and Heisenberg from Germany (we had an absolute blast with these guys last night!!), and Zolo from Colorado Springs but originally South Africa.

*over the course of 3-4 hours, Weatherman referred to me as “dude” perhaps 200+ times… and although I didn’t bring a bathrobe or bowling shoes with me, I feel like I might be The Dude now. He had the longest, gnarliest feet I have ever seen. Poppy told him his toes would get to Maine a few weeks before the rest of his body.

All for now. Happy Trails and Thank you!

Rob: you getting everything you need?