This is a belated journal entry written 2 days later because I was too wiped out to get to it then. It wasn't different than any other day of road walking except that I got such a late start. I slept in and took my time pillaging the continental breakfast and checking my email one last time.

Leaving town I found myself closely watching the scenery. It was typical but but I'm going to be leaving it soon. This was my second last day of roadwalking. After Stone Mtn. State Park I'm on the Blue Ridge. That's a welcome change.

So more of the same, more of the same. I made good time into Dobson but it was my normal stopping time because of my late start. I had already done about 17-18 miles but if I wanted to stay at the state park campground in 2 days I'd have to keep hiking. Fortunately about 5 miles further the Surry Inn was waiting for me. I called from Dobson to make sure they were still in business and had a room and continued on my way. I left town with the sun setting.

My journal would end there except for the dog attack. Less than 2 miles, probably 1.7, short of my objective I heard a single angry bark. I was walking on the left side of an unlit road. I turned my head left towards the sound and a large dark mass rocketing down the driveway. The moonlight cast everything in black and grey and long shadows stretched across the yard. I was backpeddling rapidly with my trekking pole in jabbing position. Usually dogs react to a threat from the stick but I doubt this one even saw it. No matter. The dog wanted to "Make My Day", and I had already instinctively pulled the pepper spray and thumbed off the safety. I gave a long blast about the same time the dog crossed onto the street. My last vision was of the dog seemingly running into a glass wall and spinning around as fast as it could. Then I was on my back or rather my backpack. The road was crowned quite a bit here and it tripped me. All that from first bark to fleeing dog took about 3.4 seconds. I had expected to be happy if I ever sprayed a dog but I was mostly just relieved. That dog was going to tear me up. Happiness came later during the rest of my walk to the inn. I think I smiled and chuckled the whole way. Note that Zeke, the owner, was a really nice guy and terrified that I had gotten bit. No harm done though.