Day 16: Monday, April 25, 2011

44 miles to Sugar Grove, VA

Today was “back to nature” day.  We saw a brand new foal as it tried to get to its feet for the first time.  The mare was just standing there while the farmer was helping the little one get up.  We also saw dozens of newborn calves at several different farms.  No wonder the song says “get along little doggies” because they look just like little dogs.  We came around a corner and 3 of them were in the front yard of an abandoned house. When they saw us they took off looking for their mamas.  While not back to nature exactly, we did eat a “world famous” hot dog in Wytheville, VA.  We were looking for coffee for Vincent and the woman we asked directed us to Skeeters.  We didn’t end up getting coffee, and while I don’t eat hot dogs much, this one was pretty darn good. We got the works, including chili, coleslaw and onions for only $1.95.

We have been cycling very close to the Appalachian Trail and have seen several hikers coming down off the mountain for supplies.  We met a man today who has previously hiked the trail 6 times and now considers himself an angel of the trail working to help hikers with places to stay, running errands and making sure they have what they need.

We are staying tonight at the Rocky Hollow Horse Camp which sits at 3574 feet and has a spectacular view.  Bob had a bit of a stressful ride up the mountain as the GPS took him up a 2.7 mile gravel mountain road.  Once he got here, Bill, the proprietor, told him he ought to throw the thing away since there is a much easier way up the mountain.  As Bill said, it’s a bit early in the season and we are the only campers up here so it is peaceful and quiet.   Bill came to the mountain in 2002 after 2 other careers.  Since then he has spent his time carving this beautiful site, primarily for horse riders, out of the wilderness. 

View from our site at the Rocky Hollow Horse Camp