Trail visit/Troutville

Really quick addendum to my last post: Bruce, family neighbor and friend was working near us and swung by for a visit. It was awesome but spooky when a large white van pulls over next to you on a country highway in Virginia. Thanks for seeing us Bruce!

Also, the city of Troutville has been hospitable in the extreme. They have free showers and laundry at the fire station, which we are now at and free camping at the town park. We've already been approached by 3 locals asking if we needed help, showers or anything at all. The Pomegranate, the only restaurant in town we noticed was superb. Upon walking in we noticed immediately that we were underdressed and extremely rancid (the host was in a suit and they had bottles of wine in $100 range). Despite our appearance and deplorable odor, the folks at the Pom lit the candles on the table and pointed out the biggest burger on the menu. Apparently Troutville just recently became an official trail town, perhaps explaining the community's zeal towards hikers. Whatever the case, Troutville is a cool place: if you ever hike make sure to stop by.

Enjoy the bonus red toad picture.