Date: 2016-07-06
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Miles today: 14.8

I woke this morning to a thrush singing. We packed up our tent and left Fox Creek. We drove to the AT crossing on Whitetop Mountain. It was very foggy.We hiked down to Elk Garden where we both made use of the pit toilet. And then it started *really* raining. We went through a cow pasture. I had my raincoat on, but had my arms out of the sleeve vents; Count also decided to put on his raincoat. We hiked continually up, so I kept mostly warm, but I absolutely hate hiking in the rain. And then it rained harder. We met a group of teens hiking down and looking miserable. It actually made me feel better to know I wasn't alone in my misery. Count never seems to be bothered by anything. On days like today that drives me crazy. Eventually I began to cry. I was hungry, but also totally soaked so I didn't want to reach into my food bag. My feet were wet. That alone is enough to set me off into a downward spiral. I told Count that I didn't want to hike any more and that I wanted to go home. It was true. But I hiked on with frustration thrusting me foward, my blistered feet be damned! At one point, I lifted my eyes to the heavens and asked God to stop the rain. At that moment, a big, fat raindrop went right into my eye. I guess that was my answer.By the time we got to Thomas Knob Shelter I was cold with rain. We had a quick snack and talked with the people drying out/warming up in there. I knew we had to move because I was getting cold. We crossed over rocks and went through a rock tunnel called Fatman Squeeze. A little after that the rain came to a full stop. It was windy, though, which dried out my raincoat. I was grateful, but my squelching feet were developing new blisters. I took off one shoe and sock and wrung out the water, and duct taped my toe. Suddenly, HOPE WAS MINE! We saw ponies in the distance. The farther we walked into Grayson, the more ponies we saw. We even saw a pony that resembles Applejack (from My Little Pony). I'm pretty sure she was pregnant.We walked down the horse trail to see some foals that people had mentioned. There were three lying on the grass near the grazing mothers. So cute! One pony went right up to Count and kind of nuzzled him. She stayed with and followed him for a short while. :) We went back to the AT and saw more ponies and I believe the poster pony for the park, Fabio. A beautiful dappled dark gray pony with a crazy white mane. I took his picture.When we got to the car I was relieved. We went to the Camp Store where I bought a t-shirt I could change into to be dry again. Then we went to the picnic area and had lunch while we set our wet shoes and clothes out to dry. After lunch, we drove to Rt 58 and hiked up Whitetop Mountain to where we started the morning. It was quite steep, but we made it - after lots of sweating and some tired tears from me. Tears aside, I'm glad we did the extra bit because that means fewer miles tomorrow over what looks like difficult terrain.We are now in a tent site off of Rt 58. It is sort of raining and we've heard thunder. Now what I like to hear. It is supposed to rain tomorrow too. Not looking forward to that. We had soup for dinner tonight, but ate kind of late. I'm still full and it is 9:45.We have 20.6 miles left of Virginia (!) but we have to hike 28.2 miles to get to a parking area. I'm looking forward to going home, being dry, letting my feet heal, seeing the cats, sleeping in my own bed, visiting Maili on Saturday and SHOWERING!