Day 50-Going Fast...Being Careful

May 7-6.4 miles-campsite to Pat Jennings Visitor Center, then Marion, VA

Wow, I didn’t know I could hike that fast (and not fall down)! But, when you’ve got a bus to catch...or so we thought...

I was up at 5:30, packed up, and ate my breakfast before the sunrise. I was on the trail at 6:18. It was just light enough for me to see. Sure Foot wasn’t ready to go, but he can hike faster than I can, so I knew he’d make it in time. The bus into Marion that we wanted to catch was at 11:00. We had 6.4 miles of trending up (but not terribly steep...except a couple of short spots) trail. 

Sunrise on a cold frosty morning. 

Trail going directly into the sun. 

It was awfully cold for a day in May, with frost on the leaves and logs at the slightly higher elevations. I kept my puffy jacket on the entire hike (could have taken it off on some of the steeper uphills, but I didn’t want to stop...I had a bus to catch).

I did stop long enough to get this photo of the Rye Valley. 

View to Rye Valley (how did I know this? There was a sign that said so).

And this one of the sun coming through the fog. 

I realized I was going to make it to the bus with plenty of time to spare, but I kept going as fast as I could just to see how long it would take me. That was until I saw the dirt moving. I stopped to watch a mole (I assume) working away just under the trail surface. But, then I picked up the pace again. It was rocky in places, and wet in others, but I managed to keep going at a pretty fast clip. I arrived at Partnership Shelter (the 6.4 mile mark) at 8:57. It had taken me 2:40 to go 6.4 miles. That was an average of 2.1 mph. That included two pee breaks, and the photos, and the mole watching. 

Partnership Shelter

Complete with shower! You can also order pizza to be delivered here (not sure about that this year). 

At the Pat Jennings Visitor Center, we were to call the Marion Transit bus to let them know to pick us up. One problem...no cell service. 
Lovely Visitor Center...but closed. 

We went out to the road to see if we had service there. Nope. So we decided to hitch. We stood on the side of the road with thumbs out, but no one stopped. Then we decided since there were cars in the parking lot, there must be someone in the Visitor Center. As we started to walk back, a Jeep came up the road, and signaled to us if we wanted a ride. Yes! So, Robert gave us a ride to the Travel Inn in Marion! He said he always picks up hitchhikers, because he’s done it himself. 

We checked in, and found out the dryer was being repaired today. Not a problem. I asked about the bus back to the trail. All we had to do was call when we are going back, and the bus will stop here. But, upon further inspection of the schedule, the bus does not run up to the Visitor Center on the weekends. We are taking a zero tomorrow, and that means we will leave on Saturday. Hmmm...what to do...

I asked at the office if it was indeed true that the bus didn’t run on the weekends. Yep, no bus. Then I asked if there was anyone who shuttles. Yes, and the woman gave me the name and number of Jim and Carrie. I called them, and they will pick us up Saturday morning at 8:00! Whew! 

Also, I called ahead to Angel’s Rest Hiker Haven in Pearisburg (7 hiking days ahead) to verify that they were open, and that I could have a package sent there. They are open, but can only have 10 people at a time. I can also get a package there (I ordered the Zpacks Vertice rain pants). When I asked the gal’s name, she said Pringles. I said, “Wait! Did you hike the trail last year?” She said she did. I watched her YouTube videos! I then recognized her voice. Small world, this hiking business! It will be cool to meet someone I watched on YouTube. 

So, all in all, a pretty good day with things working out (now just waiting to be able to put our clothes in the dryer). Tomorrow we resupply, and rest.