From the Howard Johnson in Daleville, VA

So last night was town time. I downed 5 double stacks, 25 nuggs, and one frosty from Wendy's. Chris ate a comparable amount. We met our buddy, Lemonhead, just south of here and decided to split a hotel room with him. Also got a resupply from the local Kroger. this place is weird, kind of a interstate highway stop (I81). But the opportunity to share stories with a fellow hiker and clean up are valued extremely highly on the trail. Perhaps the most fun is remarking on how fast and gaudy our society has become. Whitewashed with huge corporate stamped parking lots and o so standard brand name images. We become accustomed to these things and forget that they are simply human creations imposed upon this natural landscape Earth. I think the corporate stuff has greatly dampened our creativity and freespritedness. At times people in their cotton tees and jeans seem like predictable like worker bees pushing their pedals from destination to destination riding out their lives at the speed limits imposed by local law enforcement. The trail operates at your pace: shelters, towns, water, its all just waiting for you without schedule. I feel so much more in touch with nature and feel I have a glimpse into the world God created before we started getting caught up in modern "conveniences". but I will get to the update.
Day1 out of Damascus: Met the dean of Financial affairs for South Carolina University.
Day2 went into the absolutely gorgeous Grayson highlands of So Virginia. Little ponies dot the land and the rhodedendrons were in full bloom. Came near Mt. Rogers: Va's highest point. But its a side trail, and they dont get you any closer to Baxter St Park in Maine. Also met Landrover and Frenchie. an odd match of guys from Birmingham,AL and Drummondville, QC (mom mentioned)
Day 3 first 30 miler into the Pizza Shelter, where they delivered us two large pizza that we finished. next morning got 2 quick hitches to/from Marion VA Food City. Sweet grocers. Ate sushi for breakfast.
Day 4 crossed the .25 mark with our friend Rufio and got some ice cream from gas station in rural retreat,VA. ended at knot maul branch shelter. i wont talk about the endless rain thruout this strecth because its finally sunny.
day 5 33 miler into this really buggy, marshy Dismal Creek,VA section. really was dismal at the time. those mountain laurel drip the biggest drops after rain storms.
day 5 then it was pearisburg, where we went into the town festival, ate a 5 buck chinese buffet, and stayed the night at the hostel the local catholic church runs. We also were so happy to celebrate the Mass on Saturday with Fr. Prinelli, who received us with open arms for which we are very grateful. hopefully will be back there. also met up with the Polish and French hikers and met a recovering White Supremeicist and two miami ohio gards out thru-ing.
day 6 camped out i think, kinda uneventful. met a couple from Israel. and Flash and Fletch.
day 7 went down into our first empty shelter night and were accosted by a curious deer in the midnight hour. .
day 8 ended the day the with chili dogs and ice cream at a close convenience store. then camped out by a stream. got 2 trail magics now, beer in a stream by a shelter and rednecks with beer at a road crossing.

yesterday and the day before have been ridge walking past epic sights of Dragon Tooth and Mcafee Knob (a perrenial picture spot for thruhikers and a great view). Met LemonHead and here we are. he tells us we are just behind the pack of thru-hikers. Example of how this trail works: last night we were tryin to get a second round of wendys, but drivethru was only way. well, a car with plates GA-ME 02 pulls up and takes us thru. turns out the man had thru'd in 02 with his kids and wife. This is the guy you read about online who brought an 8 year old thru. Apparently the lil guy did really well.

mom is coming down soon to do a full support so updates will be by me over day 12 or so days. For all of those who wish to come out, we are shooting to be in Shenandoah in a week or so, the great state of MD in about 10-14 days. Woohooo! halfway is at Pine Grove furnace state park in PA. We have been talking about doing a BBQ at Pen Mar Park on the Mason Dixon Line. Please send all comments and inquiries in voice mail form to 443-603-2585. pics are coming soon. Peace to all.

-Corporate (Jack)