(Daily Mi: 12.1) Brother and I found a registry entry at the 10 mile shelter left by a local hiking couple offering a bed in town (Bland, VA) to thru hikers.

Not sure what tickled Brother so much about the idea -- except for maybe the intermittent rain or perhaps the 13 miles still left to the next shelter -- but after some discussion we decided to see if we could find them and used my cell from the ridge to leave a message at the number in they left in the register.

Bland is 2.5 miles off trail. Since they had missed our call it seemed a little chancy to hitch into town -- could be hard to get back to the trail and it was still another 10 miles past the road crossing to the next shelter.

But we caught a ride -- along with a soaking wet section hiker -- in the back of a pickup more or less right off.

Bland was having its homedays celebration, which is always a score for hungry hikers. Bought some pulled pork sandwhiches, home baked cookies and fried dough. Brother tried the couple (the Zigenfuses) from a pay phone by the grocery and found them home.

Just the nicest folks. The Rev. Mrs. Zigenfus met us in town and drove us a couple of miles to their home. The Rev. Mr. Zigenfus is a former thru hiker, and they both enjoy meeting the interesting folks that pass through their little town.

We set up in their living room. Glad to be inside tonight as the temperature drops like a stone well below freezing. Sit up late at the kitchen table with the Rev. Mr. Zigenfus as we exchange trail tales and listen to his descriptions of coming wonders and challenges.