Bland, VA (USA)

The rain came through last night so I didn’t hurry to the trailhead. Instead, I waited for the only eatery in Bland (Dairy Queen) to open for breakfast (0800) and, with my food, headed west on VA-42. Like yesterday, I had to drive on a winding gravel road (VA-623) for seven miles to reach the AT. I again encountered locals with their trucks full of hunting dogs but they let me by. I started NOBO at 0845, through misty cool conditions. I’d saved this section because it had a nearly 2000 foot descent to the turnaround. Unlike yesterday, there were almost no switchbacks so I was dreading the backtrack as I went downhill. For the first time this weekend, I met another hiker (SOBO section hiker from Greensboro) - we chatted briefly but then went on our way. The sun came out and burned off the fog - it actually started to get really hot (mid 80s). Fortunately, there was a pleasant breeze on the ridge (but not in the valley). The rainstorm overnight had taken down lots of branches and everything was wet. No animals again today. At my turnaround (Jenkins Shelter), I quickly reversed course and headed uphill. After how good things had felt yesterday, I was surprised to hit a wall on my climbing stamina. I didn’t give up, plodding slowly towards the ridgeline. Actually, I was so slow that my pedometer didn’t measure the steps... Still, I made it to the top and then picked up the pace for the last 1.5 miles. Finished at 1300 after eight miles. Had planned to hike another short section nearby but, after this leg, I decided to head back to town to recharge. Got a blizzard at Dairy Queen in Bland (1415) and spent s few hours watching TV. When I finally felt like a change of scenery, drove across the street to get gas at Circle K (1900) and dinner at Dairy Queen (1925). Will try the other climb tomorrow! AT Today = 4.00 miles / G.T. AT = 1158.82 miles