Date: October 11 2000
Trail Day: 133
Miles Today: 18
Location: Rusty's
Section Mile: AT 1306
ECT Mile: 2004
Had a good breakfast and got to the trail by 11:00 AM. After the climb to
Humpback mountain the trail was fairly easy. Got to the Three Ridges
Parking Overlook on the Blueridge Parkway and tried to get a ride to
Rusty's. It was getting dark so I decided to walk there. I got a ride after
about half an hour.
Rusty's is a very interesting place. He doesn't have electricity, phones
or plumbing. He has been taking in hikers for 28 years.
Also a big day for me today - crossed 2000 miles. WOW ! I can't believe it.
All I can say is - Religiously move one stone at a time and you will
move a mountain.
Here's another rhyme -
Breasts
After months and months in the wilderness,
There's something I have to confess.
On the move or while at rest,
I see visions of the breast.
All round, plump and juicy,
I crave it as you can see.
Throw in some legs and thighs,
I'll pass out without a sigh.
KFC, Pollo Tropical,
Where are you when I need you all ?
O, French Canadian maiden
"Ou est le poulet ?" * - 1
I could surely use the eggs she lays.
O Mere Sapnon Ki Rani,
Mere Liyae Bacha Kuch Biriyani ? * - 2
Kohli, kohli ingae Vaa,
Konjum Shakti yaneku tha. * - 3
Now I can more easily rest,
Having told you of the chicken breast.
Fried a crispy golden brown,
I can't wait for the next trail town.
* - 1 : French - Where is the chicken ?
* - 2 : Hindi - O queen of my dreams, Where is my chicken fried rice ?
* - 3 : Tamil - Chicken, chicken come here. Give me some energy.
Date: October 12 2000
Trail Day: 134
Miles Today: 0
Location: Rusty's
Section Mile: AT 1306
ECT Mile: 2004
A good O day.
Chillin at Rusty's
Date: October 13 2000
Trail Day: 135
Miles Today: 16
Location: Priest Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1322
ECT Mile: 2020
Had a good breakfast at
Rusty's
. People who spent the night there were
- Sweet Cicily, George, Firebreather, Fallgirl, Sweat Box, H-Monster, Blue,
T-Pot, John the Baptist, Bed Bug, Looking Glass, Hypothetical and Gail.
Gail hiked the trail in 98. Meeting Bed Bug, Looking Glass and Hypothetical for
the first time.
Could not get a ride to the trail - had to walk the 3 miles. Then came a
good climb and drop to the Maupin Field Shelter. So by noon I had
covered 2 trail miles - disappointing. My shoes are now shot. The right
one has got a 3 inch hole and deteriorating fast. I need to get to a
shoe store.
The climb up the Priest was long. Priest is the first time we are going
above 4000 ft since Mt. Mousalake. Had to stop several times near the
top.
Cooked noodles with spam. It turned out quite good. Firebreather, Fallgirl,
Sweet Cicily and George showed up after dark.
Date: October 14 2000
Trail Day: 136
Miles Today: 5
Location: Buena Vista
Section Mile: AT 1327
ECT Mile: 2025
Got an early start today and decided to go to Buena Vista to get new shoes.
Lots of day hikers today. It has been sunny the past few days. Its supposed
to last at least another week.
Got a ride into Buena Vista. Got shoes at Dollar General Stores - 10 $.
Wonder how many miles I'll get on this. The New Balance lasted about
1000 miles.
Date: October 15 2000
Trail Day: 137
Miles Today: 0
Location: Buena Vista
Section Mile: AT 1327
ECT Mile: 2025
Took a O day today.
Date: October 16 2000
Trail Day: 138
Miles Today: 1
Location: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1328
ECT Mile: 2026
Did not leave the motel till noon. Got lunch and tried to get a hitch for
a couple of hours. Finally got one.I was not in a hiking mood. Decided
to get to the shelter about 1 mile away and stop.
T1 and T2 also got here. Later on AYCE stopped by. He has thru-hiked
in 94. He carries a very light pack.
Feeling tired, so sleeping early.
Date: October 17 2000
Trail Day: 139
Miles Today: 23
Location: Matt's Creek Shelter
Section Mile: AT 1351
ECT Mile: 2049
T1 and T2 were gone by the time I got up. The trail ran beside a creek
with ruins of an old village. Then it went beside a reservoir before
starting a climb up Bluff mountain. It stayed overcast all day although
it did not rain. There was a marker where a young boy had wandered and
died more than a hundred years ago.
Got to the shelter. Chilli, Brisco,
T-Pot and Bed Bug were there. We were later joined by the rest of the gang
- Andrew, Hypothetical, Looking Glass, AYCE, EZE, H-Monster, Sweatbox,
Blue, John the Baptist. This group is fun but moves very slowly. They
had bought beer from Glasgow. We were drinking it up till late night.
EZE was in bad shape.