We made it back from Wanda Sykes. Great show, and a very quick trip to DC. We were only in the city for about 4 hours.
A great start to the day, on the Holston River. A crisp, green, river walk.
This is Rockstar. We keep running into each other on the trail. Nice guy, travels with his guitar, taking time on the trail to learn about mushrooms. I think he has one of the most noticeable hiking ensembles on the trail.
The AT merges with an overpass (mile 592), requiring a 1 mile concrete/blacktop walk. At this point you’re crossing Interstate 77, and very close to West Virginia, I believe.
This is another example of locals supporting the Appalachian Trail and its hikers in their own way. This couple are providing and managing a garbage drop.
A town that can be used for a resupply is Bland. It’s about 3 miles from the exit at 592. For a reasonable fee of 20.00 you can be picked up by a shuttle, taken to the Bland market and Dollar General, possibly a stop at Subway, and returned to the trail.
The name of the town IS NOT reflective at all on the character of the town. Per Wikipedia, the town and county were named in honor of Richard Bland, a Virginia statesman who served in the House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress. The fact that there is a town known as Saltville, VA, nearby is pure coincidence.
It never gets old coming across these markers. 600 miles in less than two months.
This section has been kind of lacking in colors, other than greens and browns. It was quite a surprise to come around the trail to this tree.
Finished up this section at Kimberling Creek, mile 610. Not that you can tell, but this suspension bridge sways a bit as you walk on it. CornDog was not a fan.
