Date: 2010-05-02
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Keep your sense of proportion by regularly, preferably daily, visiting the natural world.                                                                           -                                          - Catlin MatthewsI woke early, thinking about the expected heat and anticipated thunderstorm. An early start would be a good idea. Once my fellow shelter-mates were stirring, I went to announce the morning, as agreed, to Cathy and Ursula in their tent.The heat, humidity, bugs and exertions of the day before had left us moving slowly. Finally, after breakfast we were packed up and ready to go. We headed off in the direction of Daleville, stopping frequently to admire the views and look at wildflowers. Again, Cathy and Ursula demonstrated their knowledge of nature and identified many of the plants along the way. More often than not, these ids included snippets of information about the plants or the wildlife, not just the name. It was a good change from my normal hiking style. Often I am concentrating on ¢making¢ miles. How far do I need to go today? How fast am I going? Let¢s see, if I make it there by tonight, I could be in at the next resupply by Thursday¢¦. Too often I miss what is right along the trailside, let alone further off in the woods. Too often I skip the blue-blazed side trails to overlooks. Seeing the trail through Cathy and Ursula¢s eyes brought the wonders, large and small, back into focus, back into proper proportion.The heat and humidity made the going tough, but at least the bugs were not nearly as bad as the day before. We stopped for much-needed breaks from time to time. Again, that¢s something I don¢t do often enough when I am by myself. I tend to push on even when I¢m really dragging. After each break we would hike more strongly. For a while, anyway. The weather really had us down.We kept our eyes out for the thunderstorm that was forecast, but the sky remained mostly clear. A stiff wind, however, began to blow. Once that started the birdsongs that had accompanied our walk either ceased or could not be heard over the sounds of the wind gusting through the branches overhead.We passed Hay Rock with all its graffiti and made the turn that would lead us down off of the ridge. From one long switchback we spotted a bear up ahead. It was still a good way off, so we walked on slowly. Almost immediately the bear took off. Our third bear sighting!At long last we arrived at the road crossing and civilization (that is, showers, laundry and dinner). Once we were cleaned up and presentable again, hunger demanded that we go out and find dinner.   The outdoor patio at Three Li¢l Pigs barbeque was our destination. It was wonderful to relax and have food and drink brought to us. (Sangria? Yes, please!) A nice breeze kept us refreshed even though the temperature was still warm. A small band provided some entertainment, although it made conversation difficult.We decided that, given our beat-up (not up-beat) feelings and the storm that was still in the forecast, we would take a zero the next day. Hey! That¢s part of the hiking experience, too, right? We made plans to drive into Roanoke tomorrow and see what the big city had to offer.But for just then, after two tough days of hiking and a big dinner, we adjourned to see what our motel rooms had to offer ¢ such as cool, clean sheets on beds. Ahhhh. Luxury.