WREN Agent Hiking Appalachian Trail

Tres Amigos!

by Thomas Larkin on 06/04/13

Sunday, June 2, 2013:

Floater, Buckeye and I departed Marble Spring Campsite at 7:00 am determined to make mileage today. We need 17 miles to get within 11 miles of Buena Vista so we'll be there in plenty of time to resupply food and hitch to Lexington to hit the Outfitter for Hiking stuff. We stopped at Matt's Creek shelter for a quick snack and John's hollow shelter for lunch. Around 2:00 pm it began to rain as we were ascending Little Rocky Row. We hiked in the rain for a couple of hours until it let up. Shortly after 5:00 pm we arrived at Punchbowl Shelter and set up our tents. Tomorrow 11 miles to Buena Vista. Buena Vista is 55 miles to Waynesboro and the start of the Shenandoah Valley.

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Serpents!?!?!?

by Thomas Larkin on 06/04/13

Sunday, June 2, 2013:

Buckeye and I started out at 7:30 am with hopes of 15 miles. Most of today would be uphill. At Matt's Creek shelter Ron, Floater, Beckley caught us. Coming down Thunder Ridge Ron we spied the pictured serpent lying on the trail.

This is a timber rattler measuring about 4 feet long. Hopefully we won't run into any more. Thirty miles to Buena Vista so we need to do at least 15 miles tomorrow.

Sent from my iPhone

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I feel good!

by Thomas Larkin on 06/04/13

Friday, May 31, 2013:

Someone said that the days you take off the trail are more important than the days on. My legs, knees, and ankles will attest to that. Our hotel owner Samantha dropped Ron, Gee, and me off at Bearwallow Gap at 8:30 am. We are eying 13 miles today. Seven miles in we reach Jennings Creek and the Swimming Hole beside VA 43. There is a wide stream crossed by a bridge and a large hollowed out pool suitable for swimming. However, the water is cooooold. Have you ever heard of shrinkage? After a quick dip we resumed our walk and soon reached Bryant Ridge Shelter. I think this is the best engineered shelter so far - wrap around porch and two sleeping areas including the upper loft. This "Tajma-Shelter" sleeps 20. Buckeye, Cornelius and I decide to hike 3 more miles to a campsite and position ourselves for 3 twelve mile days to Buena Vista by Monday. Ron took Gee to Roanoke where she will catch a ride home. Gee is wearing down and looking forward to her summer job at the country club pool. We'll be looking for Ron in Buena Vista in 3 days.

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Back to Work!

by Thomas Larkin on 06/04/13

Sunday, May 26, 2013:

Linda shuttled us to Newport Rd to resume hiking. It turned out to be a 16 mile day. I don't know how long my old body can handle these long mileage days. I'm really starting to feel the strain on my legs, and it's taking longer to recover. Tonight I spent the evening in the Lamberts Meadow Shelter. No one showed up so I set my tent up in the shelter. Tomorrow we head to Troutville/Daleville which is 11 miles away and will provide a nice dinner and accommodations in a Howard Johnson's.

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Memorial Day Treat!

by Thomas Larkin on 05/30/13

Monday, May 27, 2013:

Linda dropped me back off at Craig Creek for a 15 mile day of slack packing. Four miles up Brush Mtn is the monument to America's most decorated soldier - Audie Murphy. (see the photo on the Pics page)

In addition the spectacular Dragons Tooth monolith and tough trail culminated this day before heading for the Homeplace all you can eat family style restaurant. We met back up with Floater and Gee who are back after Floaters bout with dehydration. After dinner back to the Hyatt for another night of comfort. Tomorrow Linda leaves and we're back to camping.

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Linda's Post of Tuesday May 21st and Update of May 28th

by Thomas Larkin on 05/30/13

Hi! David asked that I forward this email to you all from last week. We just had a great visit in the Blacksburg - Roanoke area. The weather couldn't have been nicer and the mountains are gorgeous. Rhododendrons are in bloom! If you ever get up that way, make sure you plan for an all you

can eat dinner at the Home Place in Catawba. AMAZING!!

Pablo and I even did some hiking. (Pablo is my new little Chihuahua.) We hiked the Devils Tooth trail to the Appalachian trail loop - about 5 miles over rocks and streams and all kinds of crazy stuff. Pablo did great, but

when we got back to the car he passed out. Didn't wake up till the next day! Photo attached of him climbing the rocks.

I took this photo of David just after dropping him off at Craig's Creek - on his way to Devil's Tooth (Google it for photos - one wrong step and it's along way down!) He's getting pretty skinny!

Next visit in 2 1/2 weeks to hike the Shenandoah Valley along the Skyline Drive!

Take care!

Linda

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5/26 - Saturday Reunion

by Thomas Larkin on 05/30/13

The hike down from sinking creek mountain to Craig Creek was short (6 mi) and easy- all downhill. Beerdra and I anxiously awaited Linda and her anticipated Trail Magic. Linda arrives with a basket of homemade energy bars from Suzi and a picnic basket of goodies for our lunch. Beerdra said it was the best trail magic she had received on the trail. After lunch Linda and I were off to the Hyatt Roanoke and Beerdra hit the trail.

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Trip to Blacksburg, VA

by Thomas Larkin on 05/28/13

Thursday, May 23, 2013:

One of the hikers we met early on the journey is Dixie Grits. He invited us to visit him in Blacksburg, VA when we got near, so we did. He pulled us out at VA 692 John's Creek and took us to the 5 BR townhouse his son has been living in while attending VA Tech. Blacksburg is a beautiful little college town nestled on the edge of the Appalachians. We ate lunch, resupplied our provisions, washed clothes, and then dined on some really good NY style pizza, beer and Margaritas. The next day we churned out 12 miles and stealth camped just past Sarver Hollow Shelter in a grassy area on the backside of a knoll out of the wind. Tomorrow Linda picks me up for some R & R in Roanoke.

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OXY = Oxynoxious or Oxymoron?!?!?!

by Thomas Larkin on 05/28/13

Wednesday, May 22, 2013:

We broke our stealth camp around 7:30 am and headed north with the goal of 11 miles and the Bailey Gap Shelter. It is overcast and they are forecasting rain showers. Three miles from the shelter we come across a zip line with a swing seat crossing a beautiful trout stream. There is a sign indicating "The Captain's Place" and free cold sodas on the other side. We trapezes ourselves over and helped ourselves to the drinks in the frig on the back porch. The captain provides drinks and tent sites on his lawn to all hikers. Since it was only 2:00 pm, we pushed on to the shelter just as it began to rain. It quickly filled to capacity and the surrounding tent sites filled as well. One of the shelter campers turned out to be the most annoying hiker met on the trail this far. She calls herself Oxy which either stands for Oxynoxious, or Oxymoron. Either way she is an idiot. She won't shut up and butts into anyone's and everyone's conversations. She's loud and inconsiderate. I hope she hiked ahead and I don't have to deal with her again. Tomorrow Dixie Grits is picking is up at Hwy 632 at John's Creek and taking us to his townhouse in Blacksburg, VA. This will be a 6 mile day and some R & R. Perhaps I can get some ice on my leg and reduce some of the swelling.

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Hiking with Beerdra, Grits and Journey

by Thomas Larkin on 05/23/13

Tuesday, May 21, 2013:

Suzi dropped me off in Pearisburg, VA after another wonderful Woods Hole breakfast. The climb out of town was steep and long. I caught up with Beerdra at the first shelter after she had spent two days with Grits and Journey. We stealth camped somewhere about 15 miles from the trailhead and survived the midnight thunderstorm.

Tom: Dave sent a picture of an orchid along the trail. Check it out and all the other pictures by clicking on the button above.

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