June 1, 1997 (Day 74 – milepoint 786.9 – Buena Vista Motel)

What a day!

Punchbowl Shelter was five-full last night with another eight folks tenting next to the frog pond. Swiss Family Robinson (Earth Surfer, Pixie, Flash, and Aunt Marty), Puff, Ren & Stimpy, Pockets, Walkie Talkie, Jen (a southbounder in her 9th month on the Trail) and two section hikers from Florida – all sharing the space last night.

We all set out in pouring rain this morning and walked through a 4.5 acre virgin forest. Oldest tree: 300+ year old white pine. Fattest tree: 45 inch diameter white oak. I wonder what it was like when the virgin forest was 4.5 MILLION acres? I use way too much paper.

We arrived at the Lynchburg Dam and Reservoir and met Aubrey Taylor, a well known Trail Angel in the area, who gave me a Dr. Pepper and a smile in the still pouring rain.

From left: Aubrey Taylor, Ren, Puff, Stimpy, Flash, Pixie, Earth Surfer, Aunt Marty

Lunch at Brown Mountain Shelter where I tried a little experiment. I melted some STARBURST candy in my boiling water to add sweetness to my oatmeal and tea. It worked well.

The trail crossed Rte 60 and there was Aubrey Taylor again with sodas and beer. The rain had stopped temporarily and we all relaxed on the grass and enjoyed Aubrey’s company. He offered us the option to slackpack over Bald Knob and Cold Mountain – 7 miles with a 3,000 foot climb! We accepted. Flash, Pixie, Earth Surfer, Puff, and I headed out ahead of Aunt Marty, Ren & Stimpy, and we flew up in a downpour of rain. We reached the summit, got naked and ran around on the open bald for awhile until we realized why they call it Cold Mountain.

Losing our minds atop Cold Mountain

We made our way down to Hog Camp Gap where we planned to camp for the night. Aubrey was there with eight soaking wet backpacks in the back of his truck. Ever the Angel, he offered to take us into town to a motel. We happily accepted. The initial stages of hypothermia were setting in as we waited for Ren & Stimpy, so Pixie and Aunt Marty hopped into the front of the truck to get warm and Flash, Earth Surfer, Puff, and I started walking down the road to keep the blood flowing. They picked us up a couple of miles down and we hopped in the back of Aubrey’s truck with Ren & Stimpy, huddled close for warmth. To keep our minds occupied during the 70-minute ride, I recited Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” in full orchestration and five-part harmony.

Long, cold, wet ride from Hog Camp Gap to town in the back of Aubrey's truck...

We arrived at the “Bee-yoo-nuh” Vista Motel/Restaurant, paid $10 each for rooms and caught showers. We were all happy to be dry and warm.

Dinner at the Restaurant. When the waitress came for our dessert orders we all made the usual assorted ice cream combo selections, except for Ren. He opened the menu and declared, “For dessert, I’ll have another Bacon Double Cheeseburger with Onion Rings!”

Aquaholic