Date: 2015-05-27
From: Wilson Creek Shelter, VA

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter, VA
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

7:30am-2:15pmLuckily no rain last night so it made for a quick pack-up this morning and we were all on the trail. The morning hours would meander along a stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering several scenic views into the valley's below including Taylor's Mountain Overlook, Harvey's Knob Overlook, Peaks of Otter Overlook, and Mills Gap Overlook. Though not a particular challenging day, my body and mind lacked energy and I suffered alone through a trying day. The highlight of the day would come in the form of my second turtle sighting along the trail. I picked it up and grabbed a picture. Up and over Cove Mountain, my body drenched in sweat and feet aching, we finally stopped at Cove Mountain Shelter for a quick lunch. After lunch, I entered a tunnel-visioned state of mind as I made my way down to Jennings Creek, one of the lowest points we've been in a while at 951ft.2:15pm-3:45pm:Jennings Creek is known both to hikers and locals alike as I nice place to swoim and relax on hot days. With today matching that description, I couldn't get my gear and boots off quick enough before I was in the creek. Safari, Moosehead, Burnsides, and I would spend the next hour and a half, along with a few other hikers, swimming, washing our clothes and bodies, and relaxing as we watched Moosehead try his luck with fishing. As nice as it was to break from the humid weather, we still had to make our way up and over Fork Mountain, rising close to ~2,000ft above the creek.3:45pm-5:15pmAfter washing my clothes in order to feel somewhat clean, I covered the final ~4 miles shirtless and am glad I did so. My shorts would end up drenched by the sweat that would usually be absorbed by my shirt. I was the first hiker to arrive at Bryant Ridge Shelter, one of the largest and nicest shelters on the trail, offering a large porch with several benches, both a lower and upper bunk, plenty of wooden pegs to hang gear, and even plexiglass windows.5:15pm-8:30pmWorn out from the day's hike, I quickly scarfed down a handful of pepperoni tortillas, powdered milk, and Hawaiian Punch with no sugar - oops. Anything other than water, though, is often a treat. The shelter would gradually fill up with another ~10 hikers, all who would fall into the usual evening chores of eating, hydrating, preparing their sleeping areas, cleaning themselves, and planning out tomorrow's hike. Standing just under 3,000ft above my current location is Apple Orchard Mountain, one of the greatest elevation changes we'll experience until reaching New Hampshire. Hoping my body responds better than today or tomorrow has the potential to be a very long day.I did a poor job resupplying the other day in Daleville and am already very low. With our next resupply point still 3 days away, it'll either be slim pickings or I'll have to hop off the trail if another opportunity to resupply presents itself.For now, it's time to try and grab some sleep. I said I would avoid shelters if I could, but the campsite lacks flat space to camp so it'll be another night surrounded by a chorus of snores. Popping in sleeping pills as soon as this entry is completed.Here's to blue skies along the Blue Ridge Parkway, an oasis in the form of Jenning's Creek, and to turtle selfies.