Date: 2008-09-19
From: Daleville VA US 220

To: Catawba VA 311
Miles today: 0.0

21 miles hiked today.A couple of huge landmarks today, as well as 3 black bear. First was Tinker Cliffs at 3000 ft. The trail bordered the very edge of these flat wall cliffs for about 200 yds. The views were amazing. As I walked south the cliffs were to my right. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that the trail passed dangerously on the edge of the rock wall. All day the trail has been covered with large rocks. They break up my pace a bit but also make the hike more exciting. The cliffs were fully exposed and while walking I was able to look to my right at any time and capture a spectacular view of the valley. The clouds were at the same altitude as the trail. I could look straight in to them or down below them at the green mountain sides and scattered farm houses.I saw three bear within 1 hour of each-other. The first one was about 100 yds. before Lamberts Meadow (which is a grassy, shady meadow in the midst of a greatly dense wilderness). The bear was far ahead of me on the trail. I saw him long before he saw me. Every time I have a bear encounter I wish that I had taken a picture... but at the same time I am always cautious to respect the bears space and alert it that I am approaching so that I do not startle them. This time I chose to whistle Patience by Guns N' Roses. He didn't acknowledge me still so I whistled my heart out. I was within 100 ft. of him and he jumped on all fours and ran faster than anyone would think possible. This guy was beautiful. His coat was shiny black and the light coming through the trees was reflecting off of it. He booked it far ahead of me and then ran off trail to the left. About 40 minutes later I was making my way to McAfee knob when I came upon two black bears on the right of the trail. One was sitting down as a human would and the other was on all fours searching the forest floor. Once again I whaled my heart out with Guns N' Roses. This time I had my camera out already so that I could at least catch them after they acknowledged me. I got the backside of one while they scattered in to the woods.McAfee knob is a common place for AT photographs to be taken. It is also a big wilderness site for Virginia. The knob is 3,200 ft. It is basically a 15 ft. sheet of rock that jets out over a valley. Most people creep out to the tip of the knob and sit on the edge with their feet dangling 3,200 ft. over the open valley. This is what I did while Grettle snapped some shots. I am not scarred of heights but the knob was a little intimidating. I can be clumsy sometimes and I kept thinking... one gust of wind... one slip... one joke gone bad. I kept hearing Sarah's voice from my conversation with her last night saying "be careful", so I was.Once back at our home base (The Franklin Farm) we decided to go to the local jamboree! This was a great cultural experience. We showered up and made our way to the Floyd General Store where a jamboree is held each Friday night. Any ideas about what a "local jamboree" in Virginia country might be are probably accurate if you have never been. We parked at a bank near the center of town. From a distance we could hear bass, guitars and banjo's. There were four different street corners where people were just jamming blue grass music. They weren't doing it for a crowd or money... they were just jammin' on the street corners, it was awesome. After watching the groups outside for a bit we entered the general store.Inside the general store was at least 200 people. Most of them were decked out in overalls and straw hats... literally. These were farming people just out to socialize with the town and hear some great local bluegrass music. Everyone was dancing, young, old it didn't matter. Everyone in this place was having a blast. I found a seat with the crew and we pretty much people watched for 1 hour or so. I thought it was really cool that when a woman got out on the floor to dance it wasn't more than 30 seconds before a man or young boy grabbed their hands to dance with them. It was so old fashioned and would have been unacceptable to let a lady alone on the dance floor. Everyone danced with everyone. There is plenty more to talk about but can't possibly get it in to this entry. These are the experiences that enrich my life.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"