As the day grew late, I found a perfect trail toward the Appalachian Trail to camp on. It climbed up to the old Pearisburg Cemetery but was a beautifully wooded and flat trail I thought would have little traffic overnight. After dark, I set up my pad and bag directly on the path toward the end by the cemetery, undeterred by the oddness of my choice location and sure folks wouldn't be coming up to a cemetery at night...right? An hour after dozing off, I heard some rustling and noticed the brilliance of headlamps floating through the trees toward me. My first thought: BUSTED. When they grew closer I turned on my red headlamp and said "Good evening". A shriek sounded from the floating lights and they stopped moving. "Hello?" a hesitant male voice sounded. I approached and introduced myself to the startled teenagers who, living in an Appalachian Trail town, were used to bearded vagrants passing through. I suppose that's what I am right now? After some chit-chat they went off to do whatever teens do in cemeteries at night and I laid back down to rest.
In the morning I felt like a zombie awakening from the earth. Fortunately the coffee, sipped in the sunny morning light, made me feel alive. Later I'd make some oatmeal then cycle down to Narrows, VA down the New River. I spent the day lounging near the historic duck pond and charging my phone in the adjacent library. Around 4:30, I overheard talk about a parade and learned the high school homecoming was that evening. The police and fire were preparing to close down streets and citizens lining up along Main St. The parade was a small town hit and I collected a bit of candy tossed out by the floats, rationalizing it as fuel for the road ahead. Free food always works for me. My highlight was the small marching band playing "Rocky Top" on this normally quiet Appalachian street.
After the parade I grabbed a quick canned food and retired to Camp Success along the New River. The last rays of sun glowed brightly on the fall leaves downriver before sinking beyond the mountain by 6pm. The cool blue light of dusk fell over the river front as the Norfolk & Western coal train blared it's horn heading my way. Camping along the roads and railroads, I always carry ear plugs it just drowns out the sound of the river.
In the morning I felt like a zombie awakening from the earth. Fortunately the coffee, sipped in the sunny morning light, made me feel alive. Later I'd make some oatmeal then cycle down to Narrows, VA down the New River. I spent the day lounging near the historic duck pond and charging my phone in the adjacent library. Around 4:30, I overheard talk about a parade and learned the high school homecoming was that evening. The police and fire were preparing to close down streets and citizens lining up along Main St. The parade was a small town hit and I collected a bit of candy tossed out by the floats, rationalizing it as fuel for the road ahead. Free food always works for me. My highlight was the small marching band playing "Rocky Top" on this normally quiet Appalachian street.
After the parade I grabbed a quick canned food and retired to Camp Success along the New River. The last rays of sun glowed brightly on the fall leaves downriver before sinking beyond the mountain by 6pm. The cool blue light of dusk fell over the river front as the Norfolk & Western coal train blared it's horn heading my way. Camping along the roads and railroads, I always carry ear plugs it just drowns out the sound of the river.