June 1st- Thankfully today was a zero day in Buena Vista. With record breaking heat, we decided to run our errands early. Part of our AT trip was to figure out what to do with the rest of our lives and today we decided that a pedestrian friendly town is a must. Every week we take a day off in town and every week I look forward to time off the trail and exploring small town America. What I am finding is disturbing. The little ma and pap stores on Main Street are empty and chain stores are opening on the outskirts of town. The outskirts have no sidewalks and we end up risking life and limb to walk 2 miles from town in a drainage ditch, to go grocery shopping.After returning from Franks for the Memories' hotdog stand for lunch, we saw a few more hikers come in. We know they are hikers from their walk. Shadow calls it the "Hiker Shuffle". It's a stiff legged, short stride, "Oh my feet hurt" kind of look. Usually that is bundled with them wearing a rain suit while traveling to or from a restaurant or laundry mat. Oh yeah, and those ugly Crocs which I refuse to wear.I received an email from our friends that hiked with us the other day. They said that about 10 minutes after leaving a bear ran across the Blue Ridge Parkway! I can't believe that here we have been huffing in the heat and bugs looking for any sign of wildlife and they jump into an air conditioned car and see the ultimate prize! What a cool sighting.It seems our dog Judy is having a great time with Grandma and Grandpa on the Mills farm. She has started her own blog that she send us once a week. Apparently she will only eat Whole Foods Chicken Jerky dog treats, and Jesse (our cat) wants ice cold milk for breakfast. I guess that's what grandparents are for.
Country Mouse and Shadow
3 comments:
So what are you wearing for camp/town shoes then?
Hi, Mouse, Shadow, Flutie and California!
We are so glad that you enjoyed your day off in Daleville, although we wish that our little town on the outskirts of the city had better amenities to offer!
Don't give up, though! Each Monday morning, my staff and I read your blog together in my office. It's as if we're all hiking with you. We were most impressed by your view at McAfee's knob and how you manage to not get your legs scratched up on what seemingly is such a narrow trail! Bug bites, now, is a totally different story. :) I'm so proud of the four of you and I'm glad to have met you.
Is California still roughing it or did he head back out West?
You were so right about the ambient noise; which is why you're more comfortable in a tent than in a hotel room. You go with what you know, right? We've all decided that you can only deal with one man a day in your personal space and that lucky for Shadow, he's it. Leave all the city nuts to be just that for now. We can't wait to hear how you acclimate back to everyday life at home so please continue blogging after you finish! :)
Nonetheless, we just wanted to say hello, route you on, and let you know just how much we've enjoyed taking the trail each week.. with you.
Love to all,
Mama Bear Grizzle :)
Roanoke, VA
i vote my town! my town! can do short term house rentals here too... just an idea.
can walk to ralphs, mom n pop pharmacy, 3 flower stands within a 5 blocks, bike shops galore, surfshops too, an old school deli & a tea shoppe. we just got a very small cuban kinda foodie place. we also have a gluten free bakery/store. too many breakky places. damn near everywhere is dog friendly. a pier. what else???
oh mama i could go on and on!!
NOT TO MENTION flight schools... just gotta picka street. Do It!
was so nice to see y'all again. please elts make a habit of it. =)
~Lnor
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