May 2 - Southern Virginia

DAY #52
START LOCATION: Helveys Mill Shelter
FINISH LOCATION: Kimberling Creek Campsite
TODAY'S MILEAGE: 16.2
TRIP MILEAGE: 602.0
MILES TO GO: 1,577.1

Apparently there were thunderstorms last night. Smoke said the thunder
and lightning was intense. I'll take his word for it. I slept like a
rock in my tent all night. I remember waking to hear rain at some
point during the night, but I missed the orhestral presentation. The
tent was soaked in the morning when I crawled out at 6:45, but it was
clear and breezy, so I'd have the tent materials hung to dry while I
made breakfast.

After the 9:30AM camp break, the terrain was smooth and fast. But, the
humidity was killer. Today was the most humid day yet, and with very
few water sources, we had to conserve and pay attention to our water
consumption. Regardless, we pulled into Jenny Knob by 12:30. 10 miles
in 3 hours... Blistering pace, but it felt very comfortable.

We met a southbound sectioner from New Jersey that started his hike in
NJ in early March. Here I was, meeting a guy that started in Jersey
the same time I started at Springer, and we're crossing paths. Pretty
cool.

The afternoon hike to VA-606 was pretty smooth as well. None of the
day had much of anything to see, so I felt good cranking out miles.
The afternoon was also nice because some of the humidity let up.

We arrived at VA-606 at 4:30. We learned that there was a small store
& short order diner called Trent's Grocery. It was 0.4 miles off the
trail, but worth every step. Smoke and I ordered double cheese burgers
while I put a little charge into my phone... It was on fumes. I also
ate some Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls, a Drumstick ice cream cone
and drank a Gatorade and a grape soda. I love convenience stores out
here. Now, if only I'd had phone service. At least I didn't have to
handwrite my blog and type it in later.

While we ate, we listened to a couple other thru-hikers chat. Two were
a heavily rumored about pair... A blind man and his cameraman who'd
set out in February. He's hiking with only a cane and little help from
the cameraman. They are producing a film on the personal struggle of a
blind man thru hiking. Some of the conversation was pretty
interesting. He explained how he knew he was on a bald vs on a ridge,
in deciduous forest vs evergreen. It was interesting to hear how much
he interprets from hearing and from feel.

Smoke and I grabbed a six pack and hiked the 0.4 back to the AT and
plopped down on the shores of the Kimberling Creek in Bland, VA.
Yes... It's called Bland, and it is every bit of what the name
explicitly implies. Shotgun rolled in and went straight to work with
his fishing rod. He caught a small fish after about an hour and a
half, fileted it, and ate it with his mac and cheese. He said he
doesn't hike... He hunts and fishes and walks along the trail to do
it. Nice kid.

Thunderstorms anticipated again tonight. But it's still going to be
raining in the morning, unlike today. So, breaking camp will be a
hoot. But, we only have 14 miles to Woods Hole Hostel where we can dry
out and have a homecooked meal. Should be real nice from the word of
mouth I've been picking up.

-natedog