Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Day 49: Cowboy Camping

Hot morning. What is this, June?! Oh wait... IT'S JUNE!!!




Lots of climbing in the morning - way up to Dragon's Tooth. Then we had to descend from Dragon's Tooth... Way down. Steep down. With hand-holds bolted into the rock. First time we've seen these. I had to put both of my hiking poles in one hand and climb down a few times. It was intense, but a lot of fun.

We knew there was a store coming up, and we were all fixing for snacks. Made it down to the road and speedily hiked the .4 miles to the gas station. The time to snack and loiter was upon us!




I ended up getting an array of snacks: a thirty pack of sandwhich cookies, a V8, Chex mix, and I split a mushroom/sausage pizza with Sandbagger and Left Field. Later I had some chocolate ice cream, too. We hung out in the shade of the gas station overhang and charged our various electronics in the outside outlet for over an hour. It was kinda like an album cover.

After we had had our fill, we were lucky enough to snag a ride back to the trail head in a pickup with an old retired guy (who may or may bot have had a few drinks). There were 6 of us, and we were very grateful. We ran into Skidmark and the kitten again!




Back to hiking, and it was hot and steep. Lots of ups and downs. Mostly up. We were all packing up extra food for that night (hot dogs, cheese, wine/beer), so our packs were a bit heavier than usual. After a long, sweaty afternoon, we trickled up to McAfee's Knob, which has got to be one of the most beautiful views in Virginia.


About an hour from sunset, too, so the countryside looked magical. A whole bunch of kids kept showing up until we had a great big crew. TC, Paul Bunion & City Squirell, Stud Muffin, Sandbagger, Left Field, Little Foot, Achilles, Xan, and Neutron. Great crew. And a great night! Awesome sunset with lots of photos. Then hot dogs with a few toppings. Roasted marshmellows for dessert. A few of us walked around the cliffs to see Roanoke from a distance. No tents tonight. Just sleeping pads and bags on the cliffs. Cowboy style. There is no sign of rain, and our fingers are crossed that it will stay that way. Stars. Warm night. Tuning out to soft music, murmurs and snores ...



(16.3)


-- Posted from the trail...

Location:McAfee's Knob

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You and your kittens! Every adventure you go on, you always seem to find the cutest kittens:) Like at Janette's in AUS, they just flock to you!
That view looks amazing, glad you were able to be there during sunset!! Keep on truckin' Care, you're doing so well!!! Keep on bloggin' too, it's my summer reading...:)
Sar