A recent change in the operating schedule of the train behind my camp I decided it was time to get off the river. Three days of no sleep was really rough.
Not to mention my relative inability to catch fish. I may stay near town a little while longer and I may even try the river again, but the trains have made the situation intolerable for the time being
Getting back on trail after nearly three weeks is always fun.
The new river is dropping down to normal levels after some rain.
Master Fisher
I (still) haven’t had any luck fishing but I was able to observe a master fisher.
During my time here, one thing I’ve tried to do in addition to fishing is capture some bird moments. This usually fails because birds are very skittish and have good vision.
Last night I was able to fish about 30 yards from what I believe was a gray heron. It is a very elegant creature that has no trouble feeding itself out of these waters.
I haven’t posted an update in like a week. Time flies.
I’m still trying to figure out how to pull fish out of the water. I’m hoping finding live bait will help. So far I’ve landed one.
First Catch
I’m hoping real bait will make the difference.
The vagrants continue to be an issue. New encampment pop up faster than I can take them down. I still practice leave no trace and break down and pack out my camp whenever I leave.
My diet is very basic, and I’m rapidly losing my trail conditioning. I made a Dakota fire pit to cook on discretely.
I made a friend.
I listen to a lot of trains go by.
Little in the way of pics or vids here, as I havent yet figured out how to manage battery life while my phone is on. I’ll probably turn to an extra battery bank soon to remedy this situation.
I started out with a shower at the local gym, then a buffet for lunch.
After lunch I weed eaten an overgrown hill side. This task took me about 5 hours.
I collected a bank note and gave it to Walmart in exchange for food to keep me going.
I settled into a parcel of land with no road access between New River and the railroad. It feels very wild and untamed, except for the numerous camps left by vagabond over the years. I’m one of them now.
I’m putting my life as a mountain man on hold and devoted to becoming a river rat, at least for the duration of my time here. I set up camp as close as I dared to the railroad since that’s the highest ground available. The noseeums are oppressive. There’s something here I’m slightly allergic to, probably agreed.
Existing here is damp and sandy, and quire more challenging than I expected. I haven’t had any time to fish yet and I’ve barely explored the entirely of this strip of rocky beach.
Sleep does not forbode well with the cacacophy coming off the rail lines.
I hitched a ride with a local named Forrest after staying 3 days in Hotel Glasgowfornia. The vortex is strong there, and I made it out after 3 days. Fortified with hot dogs and bologna and weighed down with cheese and sausage I set out at a slow pace, stopping frequently for crackers and peanut butter. It was overcast so the heat want too oppressive.
William T Foot Bridge
This stretch of wilderness starts out at a Foot Bridge. Foot is both the style and name of the bridge. Here I met Boomhauer and Zoe from Stanimals out for a walk.
James River
After crossing the bridge you stroll along the James river for a mile or so. There’s nice cliffs for bouldering if that’s your thing.
Then you bank up the hill along Matt’s Creek to the shelter. The shelter was missing a log book so no record exists of my passing there. Then you cross the creek and stchback up a steep hill. A couple miles along the military crest brings you to a saddle and the Big Cove Branch creek. A nice campsite is here for a couple tents.
You go along some more gentle terrain and for several miles in mid July a fire has made a plentiful blueberry harvest. I met Popeye and Tour Guide taking a break near a pretty view, and 4 or 5 other traveller’s that didn’t stop to exchange names but we were all munching blueberries. I thought I recognized Daytona Mike from Stanimals but he was jogging so fast I’m not sure.
After many blueberries I came to the Marble Spring. The water is cold and delicious and there does seem to be a good deal of marble around. I made camp early to avoid the rain. I saw one other traveller whose name I forgot but he had a European accent, maybe Dutch or German.
After the rain I made fire and cooked supper and saw some friendly and gentle deer.
More rain is coming. I took a nap and had a smoke. It is very peaceful here.