VA 624

Date: 5/2/04

Starting Location: Niday Shelter
Destination: VA 624
Miles: 15.9
Total Miles: 697.2

Lots of PUDs today, but several cool things to see including my first sighting of a Pink Lady’s Slipper flower, the Audie Murphy Memorial site (USA’s most decorated WWII veteran), and the dramatic Dragon’s Tooth rock ridge. But all those took second place to catching a ride into the Homeplace AYCE (All You Can Eat–music to my ears), widely thought of as having the best food on the entire AT. After having stuffed my face with as much food as I can remember, I can’t disagree. What more can you ask for after a long day of hiking? Endless friend chicken, ham, and roast beef, and let’s not forget the cute Southern Belle waitresses…I know they say milk does a body good, but damn, how much are they drinking down here?

Good to finally catch up with Skyline and Sundance again after finding the camera they left a few days back alongside the trail. Also nice to meet Fitz and Slips, all in for the night at the Four Pines Hostel.