Spring has Sprung

Day 41-43

We had a few zero days in Damascus while we waited for Chameleon's tent to arrive. We were planning on one zero day but it was nice to give our bodies a bit more of a break.

I managed to rest a lot by buying a puzzle and a book at the thrift store. I also ate a decent amount of food while also trying to maintain my budget by eating out for some meals and cooking some camp style.

Day 44

Chameleon's tent arrived this morning! We were both so glad. We had already decided to move on whether or not it came but it all worked out!

Today was my first day wearing my new boots on the trail. I will have to experiment with lacing them up different ways tomorrow. At first my right toes were tingling but after a couple adjustments that went away. My foot still feels rather stiff though. It may just be part of the break in process.

We hiked into the evening and I enjoyed watching my shadow move across the landscape. It was long in the evening light and would flit between the ground, trees, and leaves, jumping between horizons. It was mesmerizing.

Day 45

I saw wild ponies today! I must admit I was a bit nervous to get close but when Chameleon called out, "I'm touching mine!" I was reassured. The ponies were clearly accustomed to hikers because one tried to get food out of my hip belt pocket.

Today was the first day I hiked after dark. The moon was out providing light, but I finally put on my head lamp for the last 20 minutes or so of the hike. It was our longest day timewise- we left at 8:30 in the morning and arrived at 9 pm. My feet will hurt tomorrow I'm sure.

Day 46 

This morning there were beautiful blue skies as I walked across some fields. I  saw a long-horned cow with her calf wander down the mountain side. It was good to know that the females have long horns too because I was a bit nervous yesterday when I saw two bulls walking near the AT. Perhaps they weren't bulls after all.

There was back to back trail magic today! One man made each of us an omelette! That was delicious and impressive. Gray Jay was set up for two weeks of trail magic. We enjoyed snacks and good conversation.

Tonight we arrived at the shelter with plenty of down time. It was so nice to play ukulele around a fire again. The sunset was beautiful even with the privy in view.

Day 47 

I really enjoyed myself on the trail this morning. Some days just feel great and this was one of them. It did cool down and rain in the evening but the morning was fantastic.

I miscalculated the miles so we walked past our planned campsite. We found another spot but there was no water. I was thankful for the rain because I was able to catch water off my rain fly to drink. How perfect!

Day 48 

I hiked in the fog the morning after waiting out the rain. It was a bit chilly but we didn't get the snow that some other hikers got last night.

We took a shuttle into Marion, got our food for the next few days, then thoroughly enjoyed a Chinese buffet. I ate so much food that my pants fit again!

The Partnership Shelter had a shower and a sink. It was a good afternoon for freshening up, repacking, and hanging out with other hikers.

Day 49 

I spent the day volunteering at a camp in Virginia with three other hikers. People from the camp came to the shelter last night to ask for volunteers and after discussing we decided it sounded like an adventure. I was very surprised this morning to discover the land was owned by the parents of a girl I knew from a singing camp. She was home and I got to reconnect with her. The world really is a small place!

Our major task was to weed a large bed in the garden to get it ready for planting. I helped make bread in the afternoon! We were driven into town to get ingredients for dinner and on the way we stopped at a Mennonite store. It was customer appreciation day so we all got free ice cream! I also bought some dried peas for the trail and a rhubarb pie for dinner. I really enjoyed the drive through southern Virginia. When hiking I can see the farms from the mountains but they were even more beautiful up close.

I ate so much food at dinner, everything was delicious. I think I might have been even more full than after the Chinese buffet.

 

Day 50

Flowers are blooming and bees are buzzing! The air smells like spring. I saw the tallest lilac bush with deep purple flowers today outside an old school house. People had left trail magic inside the school and it looked as though we arrived just after it had been restocked.

 

There was a beautiful golden moon tonight that rose over the mountains. I loved serenading the moon.

Day 51

Today was another beautiful day of hiking. I have now hiked 1/4 of the Appalachian Trail! As the temperature gets warmer I am beginning to wonder just how sweaty and unpleasant the summer may get. I had sweat dripping off my face today. The higher temperatures also mean I won't be able to bring cheese or cream cheese. So sad!

 

I saw a ground hog in a tree today. It was certainly scared of me and scrambled and tumbled its way out of the tree. Very strange!

Day 52

I saw my first bear today! I heard something move and was surprised to see a black mass. It stopped than ran further up the hill. I cautiously walked forward, we were watching each other. Eventually it ran up and over the ridge. The bear was amazing to see. It felt so special to make eye contact with a bear.

I spent much of the afternoon walking on a ridge. To my left there was lush green pastures with grazing cattle. Occasionally the sound of mooing would drift up the mountain to my ears. There were huge rocks creatin sudden drop offs. To my right was thick forest, with the many shade of green, yellow, and red buds and leaves.

This morning I met Smile. She was a returned Peace Corps Volunteer too! RPCVs do automatically have a special bond as I'm sure AT thru-hikers have too. Smile mentioned that RPCVs have perseverance and I have to agree.

What a wonderful day!

Day 53 

Today seemed like the easiest 15 miles of the trail so far. The day flew by. I paused on the trail, taking a moment to really absorb my surroundings and to be thankful. I am so grateful I am able to hike the trail. Sometimes the trail does take me out of the woods.  This was quite a day for highway crossings too.

I experienced more great trail magic today. These people were so well stocked but the highlights were fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and meatball subs.

Day 54 

This morning I got on the trail a bit earlier than usual, packed up by 7:30. It felt good to finish 10 miles before lunch. The afternoon seemed to drag by. I knew we were going into town and my body was ready for a rest before we arrived.

We paid to camp for the first time, but $6 included a shower and laundry so it was a great deal. The shower was really hot and the washer and dryer did a great job. The setting itself is odd and not so clean. There are other hikers here as well as some more permanent looking arrangements. We resupply tomorrow and the be back on the trail.

Happy 600 miles today!