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Thursday–June 10, 2021
Trail Day–111
Trail Mile–-14.7/1,195.8
Location–Petites Gap Road, then to Stanimal’s 328 Hostel, Glasgow, Trail Mile 772.2
Nathan & Kimm thought of everything while preparing their trip to Virginia to support me. This morning Kimm sets up their waffle maker right here in the cabin, then whips up some batter, and before I know it–hot coffee, waffles and syrup, all setting right in front of me!
We’re back on the Parkway early, hardly any traffic to speak of, and the views into the valleys, out and across the Blue Ridge Mountains–ahh, just what the Blue Ridge Parkway is famous for!
The hike today is going to be very demanding. Climbs this morning will approach 4,000 feet, and this afternoon, a thousand more.
As the day wears on and the climbing continues, thunder can be heard along Thunder Ridge. Soon the rain begins, the sky opens and the deluge descends. The day has warmed nicely, so I decide to just let the rain cool me down and soak me good, which it does–for over an hour. The trail turns to creek as I slog my way on up the mountain. “Keep climbing old man, just keep climbing.”
The thunderstorm finally ends, just before my hike ends. Nathan & Kimm are right here at Petites Gap to greet me then take me off the mountain to Stanimal’s Hostel in Glasgow. Evening, we have a fine dining experience at Scotto’s, the local Italian restaurant.
A very difficult and tiring day. Took two good tumbles. No serious injury…
Fall seven times, stand up eight.
(Japanese Proverb)
