Date: 2016-07-06
From: Cross Avenue /VA 634

To: Sugar Run Gap/Sugar Run Road
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Rain is predicted this entire week. Because the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) arrived just before we left Florida, and the receiver cannot get wet, I decided to read the manual this week, and begin wearing the CGM next week.So this week I am relying on how I feel and finger sticks every few hours while hiking to monitor my BG. I decided if I have to poke my finger, I am going to try to find beautiful places along the trail to do it.A large thunderstorm was headed our way by late morning, but then the weather was supposed to clear. I did not want to get soaked and then hike all day. I also did not want to soak my feet and hike with wet socks all day. So we took our time with breakfast before heading out to the trail.The plan worked. The sky was clearing and the trail was no longer a flowing stream when we reached the trailhead. Like yesterday, the trail was easy and well maintained. The trail gently climbed out of the valley, gaining approximately 1500 feet over 2 miles. In places there were stone steps and flowering rhododendron. Along the way I saw a doe and her beautiful spotted fawn. I also enjoyed looking for fresh animal tracks left in the mud on the trail. I stopped briefly at Angels Rest to check out the view - which was of Pearisburg - the factory and the New River. A MUCH better view was just .6 miles further up the trail. I planned to take a break there, but 3 other hikers were already there (an older thru hiking couple and a young section hiker). I did not want to crowd them. I am also not comfortable testing my BG around other people. (I am still having problems just saying the word diabetes.) So I kept going.A short while later, up on the ridge, I spotted a bear just off the trail, only a stones throw away. We spotted one another at about the same time. The bear turned and quickly disappeared over the ridge. I looked for cubs as I cautiously hiked on.I saw several lovely stealth camping sites. I continued to take pictures of the beautiful wildflowers and interesting fungus, and I picked a few blackberries.I took a brief break at the powerline. I had a beautiful view to check my BG and to have a snack. It was getting late in the day, and I was wondering why I had not yet met or received a text from Rod, so the break was short.After the powerline the AT went through several Rhodedendrum tunnels which were still pretty wet and muddy from the rain. I finally met Rod. (He had been busy checking out the road crossing location for tomorrow, which required a lot of driving to go around the mountains before he was able to start hiking in to meet me. Cell coverage in this area is sketchy at best. He tried to text me, but the texts did not go thru.)Docs Knob Shelter is just off the trail but we did not stop. It was getting late. In addition, a handful of hikers were settling in for the evening and we did not want to disturb them.We made it to the road crossing just before dark. We had quite a little drive back to the hotel in Pearisburg. I was hoping to stay at the Woods Hole Hostel. (We had checked it out in February on one of the snow days I did not hike.) Unfortunately the owners were on vacation. Only the bunkhouse was open, and no meals were being served. The AT is calling. I am still doing well. I am loving the bear sightings, fawn sightings, and blackberries.