5/11/01
The hike into Pearisburg this morning was short and sweet. The highlight of the morning was breakfast at the table with Tillie Wood and Highpocket as well as the other thru-hikers. Tillie prepared scrambled eggs, grits, sausage, fresh biscuits and gravy, and tea or coffee. After breakfast Ian set up his camera on a tripod and interviewed Tillie for about 30 minutes for his BBC documentary. After pasting the group Polaroid shot Tillie took of us in the hiker register, it was time to say goodbye and resume the hike to Pearisburg. Hip and I discovered a garter snake along the way. He wanted to slither off the trail but I wanted a photo so I moved him back onto the trail. This did not make Mr. Snake happy and he aggressively struck at my hiking pole when I moved it close to him. I was unable to take a photo as my camera was too low on battery power. Hip and I stopped for lunch at a beautiful viewpoint on some rocks along the ridge. We had a sweeping view of the valley below as well as the far ridge which we had hiked two days ago. The descent into Pearisburg was steep but as soon as we arrived at a crossroad a pickup truck offered us a ride to the motel. I checked into the Plaza motel then spent the afternoon taking care of laundry and other assorted cleanup duties. Paula, Jim and Jennie arrived and we soon walked across the street to the Bella Vista Italian Restaurant for dinner. After dinner Paula and I had a backgammon tournament back at the motel room. As usual, she beat me, even though I taught her how to play the game years ago. It was a beautiful day and I was very happy to see family once again for a weekend visit. Here are today's stats: low 45 degrees, high 75. Sunny. Today's mileage: 10.0; cumulative 617.4.
