Mustang Sally’s Journal
May 19th, 2008 Posted in UncategorizedHello ATgroup:
Got off the trail on Friday, May 16th at Atkins, VA in the early afternoon. Had to plow thru big fields of tall grasses to get to the road and service station that you can out at right off Interstate 81 (I guess). Since there weren’t much services there I got a ride to the local post office, picked up my mail and then got another ride into Marion. Folks are pretty good to AT hikers. I’m now in a motel that provides free breakfasts. It’s about a 2 mile walk, all on a sidewalk into downtown Marion.
Marion is a very nice small town that has been maintained and still has its historical structures in use. The real estate prices here aren’t bad and the people are friendly. Got some nice restaurants, one of which is Mexican, where I will have dinner at tonight.
Weather on the trail as been rainy with thunderstorms and high winds. We
hikers were lucky as they all happened at night. Temperatures had been down so winter clothes are still being used. All the spring wildflowers are blooming and add bright colors to the ever green moss and ferns.
The last shelter we stayed at before coming into Atkins, called Partnership, the whole lot of hikers ordered pizza. I think they spent all together around $130. This shelter was built by the National Park Service and some other groups. The park service public building and parking lot are within a couple minutes walk so the delivery guy can park his vehicle and the hiker(s) walk over and meet him/her. This fact is known all up and down the AT. It’s a dream most hikers can’t wait to get.
Next off trail town will be Pearisburg, VA about 4/5 days away. I hope to get there around the 24th as they are going to have a ice cream social and band concert at the gazebo. After that I’m meeting my nephew at Catawba, Va on May 29th. We will hike to Mcafee’s Knob which has one of the most beautiful views in the South. Also, while there we will eat at the “Homeplace.” It’s a well know eatery that is all you can eat with outstanding food.
Speaking of food, I can tell you for a fact that with walking every day you will lose weight and still eat anything and everything that’s put in front of you. Every time I have to climb another mountain or hillside I keep that in mind, and somehow manage to put one foot in front of another.
Got my second pair of hiking boots. This is the new pair that I broke in at home and will replace my daughter’s boots that I’ve been using. Most of Virginia will go pretty fast. If I quit taking zero’s I should be finished with Virginia by the third week of June.
Thanks for all your e-mails. It always helps when there’s mail waiting off the trail.
Happy Memorial Day to everyone
Me: Mustang Sally – May 17th
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