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"I built my first fire on this trip…it was good company…."
By Dustin Jackson appalachian.jackson@gmail.com
Day 114 30.3 miles
Daleville, VA Comfort Inn
'Pyro' and I started out at 7 a.m. with just enough light to hike by. I remember in Maine when we could start walking at 4:30 a.m. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway a few times. Most of the day was spent walking on ridgelines. We hiked steady all day. With about 9 miles to go I felt a blister on my right heel. Not much I could do about it. It was colder hiking today compared to 93 degrees two days ago. We came out to highway 11. A guy named Dale gave us a ride. He was the one leaving fresh water by the road for hikers. We checked into the motel and did the normal stuff. Eat and clean up.
Day 115 21.3 miles Robert and Kendra’s House
I had talked to my brother, Robert, and sister in-law and planned to meet them
at the Home Place Restaurant tonight.
A family style buffet I had heard about since Maine.
I could have walked .5 back to the trail, but I would have skipped 2 miles. No skipping! So I walked the 1.3 miles back to where I left the trail. I tried to hitch, but no luck. I was just about run over by a few cement trucks though. I gave them some friendly hand signals. I hit the trail at 11:30 with 20 miles to go. I needed to be in Catawba, VA by 6 p.m. I hiked fast all day. I left before 'Pyro.' I felt my newly popped blister all day. I made it up to Tinker Cliffs, and then over to McAfee Knob. I spent about 45- minutes at McAfee Knob and met a guy from Vermont. He said he was thinking of hiking the entire trail one day. I told him that he would, because it only takes that first thought. On my way down from Tinker cliffs I felt a shin splint starting in my left leg. It was full blown as I made my way down to Catawba. 'Pyro' caught up with me on the way down. I invited him to dinner. We arrived at the road where Robert was waiting for us.
The restaurant was a big farmhouse with many rooms. I gave Kendra a big hug careful to miss her belly. She is two weeks away from having me a nephew. As I talked to Kendra I felt a pinch on my fanny. I slowly turned around to see Becky, my wife, and her Mom (Becky is the one
that pinched me.)
They had both come up to just eat with me. It felt good to see Becky again.
I was full, tired, my shin splint ached, and my blister hurt. Kendra invited Pyro and I home. No hesitation from me. Being surrounded by family felt good. I love being close to home.
Day 116 0 day Robert and Kendra’s House
Kendra made French toast for us; she was surprised that I asked for six slices.
I slept well last night. Their house is quieter and back in the country than
most trail shelters that I
’ve slept in. 'Pyro' and I drove into Roanoke to let off some steam. We went to Awful Arthur's, had a few beers, and 2 pounds of boiled shrimp. There was a fall festival going on too. When we got home Kendra had made chili for us. She is such a good host. It seems that I take advantage of my zero days.
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I went to church this morning to see a part of Kendra and Robert’s life I had not seen before. It was fun to see Robert lead the music, Kendra play piano, and Alan (Robert’s Nephew) play drums. I got to see Kendra sing too. It was the first time I had been in church in seven years, it was fun.
I didn’t feel like going back to the trail. We stopped for lunch and got back to the trail at 4:30. I hadn’t worn my hiking shoes for two days and my blister felt no better. My shin splint was no better either. I saw a good place to camp and took it. 'Pyro' wanted to hike on so he did. I was very sleepy. I built my first fire on this whole trip. It was good company during the early darkness.
