May 17 Chipped Tooth

I chipped my tooth and have been trying to get a dentist appointment in the area. This has not been an easy task. This morning around 11:00, a dentist in Narrows, VA called with a cancelled appointment for tomorrow at 8:30 AM. We had to begin the arrangements. It would take a 22 mile day just to get to town. This would put me at risk of working out the details so we decided to hike to Woodshole hostel, 12 miles. Gordon would drive me to town and Mark (EZ) would slack pack into town the extra 10 miles. I rented a car and now we are at this very cool hotel called the MacArthur Inn. The town was going to tear it down and Allen purchased it and fixed it up. I will have to get some pictures tomorrow. Allen also offered to take us tomorrow to see these massive work horses he has. Should be interesting.


I am now at the dentist. This little town looks as if it has been hit hard financially. Most store fronts are empty. We met a historian, Tom as we had breakfast. This was once a hoping place to be. Allen, owner of the hotel greeted us at the restaurant which he also owns. Asked what we would like and proceeded to cook and serve us our meal. The best part was that he sat down and visited as well. He owns a construction company and the largest team of work horses in the United States. We teased him that we expected he would be the dentist as well. He is the man with the super mustache. Nice man.

By the way Mark told me I missed a great 10 miles. Several rocky vistas, wide flat ridge walk, and watching a thunderstorm brew in the distance. He went to a rock with a view and found one fresh orange. He also saw another bear about 70 feet away. It ran away but in the same direction he was going. He did not see it again but hiked with caution.

We met a couple yesterday, The Noodle heads, and we agreed that every single day out here brings something new.

I had to buy new boots today because of a calcium deposit beginning to develop on my right heel. Turns out my feet, which were already a size 11, have swollen a full size...yikes. No wonder my feet have been bothering me. Now I am wearing Oboz just like EZ. We drove by Virginia Tech University. Fun to see the mountains from a different perspective and a comfortable seat :).

Only had time to hit the trail out of Pearisburg for 5.5 miles. In our tent enjoying a cool breeze and a clear evening. Friday the 18th. Good night