Day 16, Sunday, May 22

After a little family time and a day of rest, the day started with a two hour drive from Bristol back to the trail. On the way, Bruce realized that he had left his hiking poles in the parking lot on Fridqy when Seth picked him up. He was really bummed.  Sad start to the day, this was going to be harder to walk without them and Chaz had bought them as a gift. Seth felt like a trail angel might have picked them up and told him to check the hiker log at the next shelter.  Lucky, lucky.  An ATC ridge runner had found the poles and left the number to the regional ATC office.

He called Seth and he drove to the office in hopes of getting them but they were closed on Sunday.

So he was hoping to make contact on Monday and get them back. He hiked from Hwy 311 to Daleville which was 21 miles. He met back up with Running Mink and the stayed at a Howard Johnson's for the night.

Day 15, Friday, May 20

Today was a short day only going 6 miles to the base of McAfee knobwhere Seth picked him up at noon. He came of the trail to go to Bristol to celebrated Matney, our nieces, graduation. He will also take a zero day and return on Sunday.

Day 14, Thursday May 19

Bruce had another long hard day. He left before 6:00am, another of those 999 reasons I'm not our there, in a light rain. He went a couple of miles south of the continental divide, again have king with Runninf Mink. . He said it was a day of tricking footing with the slick rocks on the ridge, which caused a few slips and falls. By mid day they were at the Authie Murphy monument, who was the most decorated WW11 solider who died on the mountain in a plane crash.  Around 3:30 the sun finally came out so the beautiful views of the dragon tooth could be seen. Made it to Four Pines hostel for the night, arriving at 6:15, after a 23 mile day.

Day 13, Wednesday May 18

Rain, Rain, Rain.  That is how his message started. Must have been fun but they did 24 miles with three 1,500 feet climbs.  It was a long hard day but they needed to get that much in so they could make it to the hostel the next night. He says he desperately needs to do laundry as everything is soaked.

Day 12, Tuesday, May 17

Bruce started and ended the day in rain. I think it rained almost the entire day. He managed to go a full 20 miles, I guess he felt like he had to make up for the day before. They started with a one mile hike back to the trail from the Holiday Lodge where he and Running Mink shared a room. They started at 6:15. Oh how fun. Is the sun even up at that hour? The first 7 miles were spent climbing 1,800 ft to a ridge and climbing over it. The next 13 were on the ridge and downhill in the nice steady rain. And I'm sure it is a little chilly. They camped at the Captains house, which is tenting in the guys front yard. But the kicker is, you have a rope trolley to ride to get across the river. Yeah another fun adventure. But the Captain does provide wifi and sodas. Oh the luxuries of the trail.

Day 11, Monday, May 16

Bruce had a nice relaxed day. They got a late start as they had breakfast at the hostel. He loved the breakfast and being with the other hikers. He had a short day and only hiked 11 miles. He is trying to stay with Running Mink and he had to go into town to get on the computer for some business. So Bruce spent the afternoon in the library catching up on emails and was able to call me. I think Pearisburgh is the town they were in.

Day10, Sunday, May 15

He hiked from Trent's grocery to Wood's Hole hostel, putting in 15.3 miles plus another 1.6 to get to Dismal falls for a view and to the hostel. For those of your from Ga, this is the hostel that Ms Tillie from Roswell started. Her granddaughter now runs it and it is suppose to be one of the best on the trail. He hiked with Running Mink who is 53 and from MI. They walk at about the same pace so hopefully he can stay with him a few days. He said it was really cold and windy but at least no rain. And I think it was chilly camping the night before.
He said the hostel is great, very warm and comfortable. He even wants to take me back to stay a few days. Of course by car. They usually serve dinner but the owner, Neville, waned to go out. So they arranged four cars to take everyone into town.  They ate at a Korean restaurant that served family style. He said he was great and he ate a lot. He loved this place so a lot of pictures!



Running Mink

Day 9, Saturday, May 14

I dropped Bruce back off at the trail just north of Bland, Va at 7:30. It was chilly and foggy and no other hikers were in site. I then drove 14 miles by road to drop this 'stuff' off at Trent' grocery. He was hiking with an almost empty pack with only water, rain gear and lunch. Much lighter load to carry.
He said he had a good uneventful day and walked mostly on the ridge and had very limited views. He ran into four hikers. Two of the ladies I had given a ride to on Fridqy when I went to meet them. They were in their 60's and one had hiked the trail in 2013. They were moving slow as they hiked all day on Friday and Bruce overtook them. But again women with full packs, got to admire them. He also was with Diligence and Running Mink. He got to Trents at around 2:00 where he camped. He had some light rain and the temperature is suppose to be in the mid to high 30's. I guess he wished he hadn't given me his knit hat and gloves. He had dinner at the grocery along with three other campers. Not many out as I guess most are celebrating Trail Days in Damascus this weekend.

Day 8, Friday, May 13

After a planned pick up at 2:00, I got two phone calls saying he would be earlier. Not enough warning for me to get there so he had to wait about 30 min on me. I picked him up off of VA 52 which runs beside of I-77 in Bland VA. It was an easy day of 13 miles and fairly level terrain and nice weather.

  Only one hotel in the area so after his favorite lunch of Subway and talking to a couple of his fellow hikers we headed to Wytheville to a hotel.  The tent got packed up wet so we hung it on the fence at the hotel to dry. We then sprayed it with water repellent that I just happen to have in the supply box. So hopefully it will hold up in the next rain storm. He was able to get a shower, soak his feet, and a nap. We then headed out to do a little laundry and have dinner and then turn in for an early night.

Day 7, Thursday, May 12

Got an update with pictures from Bruce the next day.

 He did 18.6 miles today which started with a 1000 foot climb and down again. Then a four mile 2000 foot climb. I think it was pretty rough. He said his legs burned the rest of the day. He hiked the last 11 miles with his friend, Right Lane.{I need to find out how he got that name} He said it was a rough day but looking forward to a short one tomorrow as I am going to meet him. He tented at the Jenkins Shelter, where it rained all night long. And his tent leaked a little.

The night started cozy and dry but didn't end that way. Just one more of those 999 reasons.

Day 6, Wednesday, May 11

It was raining in the morning but managed to stop before he started walking. He was able to call before he left and get some information to me. He had a great breakfast at The Barn which is just a few hundred yards from the "hotel" and I81. He ate with Limey and ET and they left at 8:30. Limey is the retired executive from Roswell. He said the first part of the hike was taxing but for the most part he felt good.  He walked with Trailtalx for about 30 mins, another retiree but this time a female. I think she was a little slow for him so he went on and met up with Right Lane for the last four hours of the days hike. He stopped a little after 4:00 at Lynn Camp Creek and hiked about 16 miles. Has gone 558 miles total. So he passed the quarter mark of the trail. And yes a snake, only one of the 999 reasons I'm not on the trail with him.

Day 5, Tuesday, May 10

I dropped Bruce off at the same place for him to get started at 7:30 this morning. He started out with a small day pack with only his water, lunch and a rain coat. He made great time, going 19 miles and making it to outside of Rural Retreat. He met several other hikers along the way, Why Not, a man from Roswell and several south bounders making their way to Damascus days. He walked about 8 miles with a guy training for a job in Idaho, I think. I had dropped his backpack off at a "nice place" Relax Inn so he a day of slack packing.   He says he can tell it is a really nice place, even though instead of a bear bag, his food is in a "mice" bag hanging in the room. Oh the luxuries of hiking.