Newport, VA (USA)

Had a nice breakfast at the hotel this morning (0700) before I tried (unsuccessfully) to park at nearby trailheads... Gave up and headed towards Pearisburg. On the way (via VA-624), I stumbled across a gravel road that took me up to the top of Brush Mountain. The AT crossed near the parking lot for the Audie Murphy airplane crash site. It was foggy - almost raining - and the temperatures were in the low 60s. Using the approach trail (0830), I paid my respects at the memorial and ran into the SOBO thru hiker from yesterday (always funny to see their faces when I reappear miles away). I then headed NOBO, down the eastern side of the mountain. It was silent for almost the whole morning - not a sound... Then I met two members of the Trail Club, who warned me about the steep terrain (they were coming uphill). Despite their misgivings, I made good time to VA-620. When I turned around, I powered up the 1500 foot slope, feeling great all the way. About the only thing that slowed me down was a blister that was starting to develop on my toe (grrrr). Still, I finished about 10 miles (4.5 new miles of AT), the first part of my day, at around 1230. I ate some lunch I'd brought and then drove to the White Rocks Recreation Area. I parked where I'd hiked about two weeks ago (VA-635). Starting SOBO (1345), I walked into the woods (covered by rhododendron bushes) and followed Stony Creek. The atmosphere of this leg was tremendously different: hot, sunny, dry. I met another SOBO thru hiker and talked to him for a little while. After 2.1 miles, I exited via another approach trail and then walked back to my car on the road. This second part of my day (a little more than four miles) ended at 1430. I made good time on the drive home - got gas in Mount Jackson (1820).  Feeling very strong and glad to have had such a great weekend! AT Today = 6.60 miles / G.T. AT = 777.08 miles