(Daily Mi: 4.9) Funny day with Brother in town. Wanted food, but mostly wanted to dry my gear after three days of steady soaking -- watch I'll be crying about dry springs again soon enough.

Easy walk to the shoulderless roadhead, and surprisingly easy getting a ride into town right off. Brother hitched in to the P.O. and met me at the laundrymat where I was drying my sleep sack -- spread my pack and tarp in the parking lot.

Had an all you can eat lunch at the motel/diner and resupplied on raman and snacks at the gas and go.

Took almost two hours to catch a ride back to the Trail. In fact, we had given up and walked back to the center of town and bought a couple of beers when without even sticking a thumb out, a fellow rolled up and said: 'Hey, you look like through hikers'

Crossed the longest footbridge on the AT, over the James River. Nicely sited shelter nearby.

Pulled my stitches before dinner tonight. Was hard because the only scissors available were the little ones on my Swiss Army Knife which are sharp but poorly shaped for the task.

Drew a small crowd to watch the undertaking. Hated the dull sensation as the stitches came out, but am glad to be done with cleaning and changing the dressing daily -- although nice that I have been able dual purpose my stove fuel (denatured alcohol) for the cleaning<br />