Bland, VA (USA)

Left Bland early (0630) and drove west on VA-42 to VA-623 again. Because I’d quit a bit early yesterday, I had to backtrack on the gravel road all the way to the AT where I’d parked (saw deer and trucks with hunting dogs) and then continue down the hill into Burke’s Garden. I found paved roads there and quickly located another AT trailhead at Walker Gap (had to use a muddy road with “End of State Maintenance” again but it turned out OK. After 22 miles of driving, headed SOBO under foot power at 0725 - immediately beginning a ~1500 foot climb back to the top of Chestnut Knob. It was cool and mostly dry (rain had held off again). The valleys on both side of the inclined ridge were covered in fog - it looked like something out of a painting (my camera could not do it justice). Saw no one and no animals but could hear cattle lowing in the fields below. Made pretty good time to the top - caught a few glimpses of the scenery and then quickly headed downhill again. Finished my hike by 0830 after around 2.6 miles, feeling good. After barely escaping a big mud puddle on the way back to pavement, I decided to use main roads to get back to Bland. Lots of Amish people headed to church on the way and a few good views of the ridges surrounding the pretty valley. The drive on VA-61 and I-77 was about 15 extra miles but it took me the same amount of time (and gave Nellie an off-road break). Was able to clean up before my drive home - a rarity for me for one of these slackpacking weekends... I’ve finished everything north of Mount Rogers and south of Pearisburg so may not return to this zone again - I liked it a lot. Took the scenic route through the little town of Burke's Garden and continued north of town before heading east to I-77. Arrived back at the Big Walker Motel at 0930. Had to negotiate with staff to let me use the shower (since they had already cleaned the room). Got back on the road by 1000 and used I-77 and I-81. Gas fillup at Sheetz in Mount Jackson (1305). Encountered a nasty traffic jam in Woodstock and got off the highway. It was also raining a lot so the going was slow. Used US-11 and VA-55 to reach Front Royal. Once on I-66, encountered nasty rain again but I drove out of it as I continued east, ultimately beating the weather to my apartment. Cleaned up and then went to game night at Bob's, where I got to play "Terraforming Mars" with him, Steve, Dave and Melissa. Went to bed very late. Had another great hiking weekend! AT Today = 1.30 miles / G.T. AT = 1160.12 miles