All the best to everyone. I saw no thru hikers who were hiking the AT today. Everyone else hiked the Virginia Creeper Trail as it paralleled the AT in order to avoid some hills. On a more positive note, the views from the areas less traveled are very beautiful. It's 9PM and the ponies just showed up outside of the shelter.
Life is good.
Traversed many of the high open meadows- saw several herds of the wild ponies. Grayson Highlands is an interesting place. After coming off the high meadows I saw several very large deer in the hardwoods. I don't know why, I know that I'm adequately hydrated. Looking forward to a good nights sleep and some good miles with a lighter food bag tomorrow.