May 3

May 3 AT 2024, Day 4: Town Day!

Roo Giordano

roulette, long distance hiking

Day 4, Friday, 5.3.2024

Start: M. 534.7, Soft Bed Stealth Site near road

End: M. 542.9, Stealth Site in Rhodies

Miles Hiked: 8.2

Total Miles: 40.5

Elevation Gain: 1,713 feet

Town Day in Marion, VA.

One of my favorite things to do on trail is to nearo into town and go splurge on a big breakfast, preferably with waffles, and some really good coffee. Or even mediocre coffee, as long as it’s hot and comes equipped with real cream. None of that powdered shit concocted in a lab with unpronounceable chemicals. I want it real!

Today, though, I woke up headachy and nauseous (not unusual a few days into a new hike). Still, I needed to resupply, so I hauled myself out of my tent and made it to the visitor’s center to catch the bus to town.

I and 19 of my fellow hikers showed up for the bus that only held 12. Fourteen at the most. Some were forced off the bus and left behind, thumbs out on the side of the road. I didn’t budge (mostly because I was the first one there).

I met Jiminy on the bus, an unusual person (they/them pronouns, I’m guessing) who wore long braids, a great skirt and rocked a fabulous ‘stache that no doubt requires implements and product to keep it sporty.

First stop: Better Coffee Co. in downtown Marion. I said “No” to their house made donuts and regretted it for the rest of the day. But the coffee was so good I had two and felt better.

Next stop: Marion Outdoors, around the corner from the Coffee Shop. Great outfitter with all the brands, stickers, amazing Righteous Felon Jerky Sticks (Street Taco flavor…what’s not to love?) and a hostel upstairs that gets good reviews on FarOut. They were super helpful and graciously let all the hikers leave our packs in a pile while tending to town chores.

The Trail Provides (Again)

Did my shopping. Got lunch (breakfast was over by the time I felt good enough to eat and I was very sad as I ate my dry BLT at Sister’s Cafe. It didn’t suck. It just wasn’t waffles). Went to find the bus stop for a ride back to the trail.

I had a couple of hours to wait. But a shuttle driver I’d met yesterday saw me and offered me a ride back to the trail and wouldn’t even take money when she dropped me off. YAY! Back on trail 45 minutes earlier than I expected.