Tinkers Ridge and Mountain, Daleville (civilization, pizza hut, grocers,)

Bill Pugh made tea for me; I ate my breakfast and headed out. I had to hike the rest of Tinkers Ridge, the part from the cliffs to Tinkers Mountain at Daleville and the I 81 valley. I was anxious to get to Daleville, get some good food and call home and maybe stay in a real bed in a motel. I hiked past the campsite where the Boy Scouts were staying - it was a lively scene, the kids all rested up and full of energy, ready to go.

The trail was a series of little climbs and descents with plenty of moderate terrain in between. There was an abundance of wildflowers, especially the beautiful pink lady slippers. The trail was quite rocky and solid rock in many of the higher places along the ridge. Views were limited to clearings or rock formations along the trail. It was a warm day and I was consuming lots of water. At a point along the trail, right in the open I came upon 6 cold, unopened cans of orange soda. Were they the work of a trail angel or just some hiker lightening his pack? In either event, Thank you. I drank one and left five for the others coming behind me.

A major power line crossed the trail in several spots, providing the clearings needed for nice views. The towns of Glebe Mills and Daleville came into view on my left, the Carvin Cove (Roanoke) Reservoir , Brushy Mt, McAfee Knob and the west arm of Tinkers Ridge on my right, and Tinkers Ridge west arm and Mountain ahead of me. The reservoir was low. I could see about 4 feet of exposed shoreline that usually would be under water. We needed rain but it was OK with me if it waited until I was through hiking.

From Tinkers Ridge east arm, looking ahead to Tinker Mt and the Blue Ridge. The AT follows the sharply peaked ridge.

I passed through or over several major rock formations of interest, walked underneath the huge slanting rocks of Hay Rock, and even had a few rock scrambles and climbs. A lizard darted across the trail and scampered up a tree. My spirits were very high, in sharp contrast to the trail blues experienced earlier. I was thrilled with the scenery, happy with the weather, and eager to get some real chow, get cleaned up, and call home and arrange for my ride to pick me up early morning rather than late afternoon as planned. I could take my time on the rest of the hike since I was so far ahead of schedule. Take my time and enjoy it.

After a series of steep switchbacks, I descended from Tinker Mountain into the I 81 valley between Daleville and Troutville. I crossed Tinker Creek, went through a field overgrown with honeysuckle and came out right behind the Best Western hotel in Daleville. I got a room in the Econo Lodge across the street - across the hall from the room Brett, John and I stayed in last spring at the beginning of my Petites Gap to MD trek. Then I headed for Pizza Hut next door. There I came upon a bonanza - they were having a one-day special - a medium pepperoni pizza for $4.00. I ordered some beer and three pizzas - two for now, one for later. I went shopping at Krogers to bolster my food supply and provide breakfast. I ate a hearty dinner at the Sizzlin Steakhouse, made my telephone calls, did laundry, showered and had a wonderful nights sleep in a real nice bed.

I had only 47 miles remaining and more than 4 days to cover them. I was looking forward to conquering my nemesis from last spring - Apple Orchard Mountain, which we could not climb because we could not find its entrance road in the extreme dense fog. And I looked forward to getting home.