Smoky Mountain Hiking Trip - Day 2

I got up early and re-organized my stuff in bags and in the car.  I checked out of the BOQ at around 0730 and drove over to La Madeleine in Kingstowne.  I checked out my old neighborhood on the way but still arrived at the restaurant early (and even took a walk near Giant to kill time).  I met up with Erin and Austin at 0800 and we ate a nice breakfast together and had a good talk.  We were finished by 0930 and I then left for Harrisonburg.  Brenna texted and later called to coordinate our meet-up after she was done with church.  I used I-66 (very busy and lots of construction) and I-81.  Stopped for gas at Loves in Toms Brook (1050).  Arrived at Brenna's house by 1130 and we talked for a little while.  We then departed for the Valley Pike Farm in Weyers Cave (Brenna knew some people who worked there).  We ordered some food (sandwiches) and got a flight of local beer and local wine.  We stayed from about 1215 to 1400 and had good food and a nice talk.  We also took a walk around near the Farm and then drove (lots of back roads) to see the grave of my friend, Sean, at the cemetery in Penn Laird.  Brenna told me she wasn't feeling well so I took her home at about 1530.  I departed after that and drove through Harrisonburg on the way to I-81.  I ended up seeing little robot cars on the sidewalk and called Brenna to find out what they were (they were called Starships and were delivering food to students).  As I passed through Roanoke, Bonnie M called me back (I'd tried to reach her earlier) and we had a nice talk.  Traffic on I-81 wasn't bad at all and I made really good time all the way down to Marion, where I stopped for the night.  I stayed in the Travel Inn again (1900) and the family that owned it was happy to see me.  I spent some of the evening in the room (re)packing again so I would be ready for my hiking day (it was during this time that I discovered I'd forgotten my trekking poles).  Went walking near the hotel (much warmer than it was at home!) and also read and checked over some emails.  Went to bed by 2300.