Beautiful Virginia

After our two zero days in Damascus, VA (which we found out was too long for us) we headed out on the Virginia Creeper Trail which hooked back up with the AT. It was finally sunny and our group headed up and over Iron Mountain to a great pond where we stopped for lunch. It was a humid day but we had some great streams to cool down in. We found a great campsite by the water where we pitched our tents. Well about two hours later we had 15 tents set up around us. What happens is when the trail goes through a town a lot of hikers group up in what we call a bubble, and it's always hard to get out of the bubble. So, we formed a tent city for the night, made a fire, and enjoyed the company.
The next morning the smell of skunk suffocated my nostrils and woke me up so we were on the trail by 6:50. We also were trying to escape the bubble. It was also "Pony Day". In Grayson Highlands State Park they have wild ponies that will come right up to you. We ended up seeing over 15 ponies and made it to over 500 miles for the total hike. It was a windy, rainy rocky day but we ended it with trail magic from "Willow & Cedar Tree" from Mississippi. They fed us hot dogs, chips, and root beer. It started to rain so we called it a day early and tucked in.
The next morning we woke up to Sleeping Beauty moaning about how cold he was and how he was heading into town. Apparently his tent blew open in the night and being that he is sleeping beauty he slept right through it. His sleeping bag had become completely soaked and froze the entire night. So, him and Night Rider headed into Marion to dry out. Fatty, Nova, Paddy Cakes and I headed on. It started out a little rainy but ended up being a great evening with gorgeous fields of flowers that had amazing smells and even a rabbit. Something we have realized on the trail is our sense of smell has become more sensitive. We ended the night at a small campsite with Fatty and Nova but ended the day after 21.6 miles with all smiles.
The next morning our goal was to make it to Atkins, VA to pick up our resupply package from dad. We had one of our more beautiful days with open fields, barns, flowers, & great views. We got into town by lunch and decided to treat ourselves to a hotel or motel I should say. There was only one motel in the very small town of Atkins but it was cheap thank goodness because it was one of the crappiest places I have ever been in. But a hot shower and clean clothes is worth more than a clean room. From Atkins our next stop is Pearisburg and the weather is calling for nothing but rain. We are hoping for the best.