5/29/99 The Fox Hill Inn in Troutdale, VA   Miles Today : 0 Miles from Springer : 528.7

Today was a very mellow day since we had a whole bunch of time before check in at the Fox Hill Inn. We got up late, ate a big breakfast and puttered around. We bumped into Pink at the grocery store in Marion and offered to give him a lift back to the Partnership Shelter. We drove him right down to the shelter steps! A few other thru-hikers recognized me there and were a little surprised to see me behind the wheel of a car.

After that, we were on our way to the Fox Hill Inn. Wow, I just cannot say enough good things about this place. First of all, you cannot see the inn from the road, it is built on top of a large hill. As the car scaled the driveway, the trees began to fade away, replaced by lush pasture all around.

After that, we were on our way to the Fox Hill Inn. Wow, I just cannot say enough good things about this place. First of all, you cannot see the inn from the road, it is built on top of a large hill. As the car scaled the driveway, the trees began to fade away, replaced by lush pasture all around.

The building itself is large, with seven bedrooms, a living room, study, large porch, dining room, kitchen and a crafted garden out back. Not quite the garden out of The Shinning and the hedges were only two feet high, but you get the point. Views of the mountains and countryside could be found in almost every direction. The sheep grazing on the grass outside was a nice touch as well.

Mark and Janet, the caretakers of the inn, were great hosts. They had hiked most of the AT back in 96 so we shared stories and had a lot of "trail talk" when we first arrived. They stayed here on their hike, and left their phone number in case the owner needed a new caretaker. The next year they had the job! For dinner, we went to a local place called Ona's. The food was good, and I embarrassed Michelle by ordering a second dinner when the waitress asked if we wanted dessert ( Hey, I was hungry! ).

We returned to the Fox Hill Inn in time for the sunset and another hockey game. Just another great day out here in AT World. Tomorrow we will head to Independence for a 10 mile canoe trip down the New River.

-Chomp

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