Date: 2010-05-05
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up after a fine night sleep! Slept with my friend, Benadryl! The moonlight is shining so bright that it's casting shadows on the ground. Drank lots of water. Had coffee, peaches and cream oatmeal (the same oatmeal flavor that someone pissed on...grrr), and Fun Dips last bit of instant milk that he donated to the cause! Saw my first Jack in the Pulpit!Caught up with the Rat Pack. Ratman is having a stomach problem. He's been suffering from diarrhea for two weeks! That's why he's lost so much weight. He was drinking a half a bottle of pepto a day. Dangerous! His stool was black! False-positive for blood though. Pepto turns your crap black. Fyi.The hike up to Buzzard rock was absolutely fantastic! It's second only to my favorite day so far, going down Big Bald Mtn. The small white flowers were different though. They weren't Spring Beauties, they were fuzzy. Hiked straight into what seemed like a tunnel of light. The sun just over the horizon that the mountain created. So bright and dream like! Someone could paint their masterpiece here. Such a treat to see this at the peak of Spring! I LOVE Virginia! The South-Western part so far, at least. Scout the brown Pointer mix greeted me with such a delightful friendliness at the summit of Buzzard. Smitty (formerly Dumbass?) and Scout (the dog) had the most awesome campsite up there! He said it was windy though. 360 degree views. Met Long John and lost my cool feather that I'd found at Lost Mtn. Shelter. Had it in my hat! Sweet one too, ah well.Stopped by the US Forestry service employee because they're blasting dynamite in the area today. There would be guards posted along the way assuring that we get out of the area before blasting takes place. The meadow on the right after White top was beautiful! Looked like something you'd see in Germany! Wanted to take a lunch break in the sun but wasn't sure if I needed to get to Thomas Knob before taking a break? Passed by the last guard and the answer came in the form of a BOOOOOOM! Scared me so badly I knelt a little, knees buckled and held my ears. Really loud. Deep Gap was awesome! Most Trout lillies I've seen in one place! More of them than Spring Beauty's. Virginia highlands are magnificent! The weathers great! Clear skies. Clouds block the hot sun every now and then. Saw wild pony's and took pictures. Stopped for a lunch break at Thomas Knob Shelter. Got water. It's fenced in so the horses can't crap in it. The flies are horrible here! Giant and loud wings. They really swarm you until you cool off. Lonewolf said, "Well at least something out here likes the way you smell" Was going to sit in the sun and work on my tan but every time I'm still the flies hover and land on me. Nasty! The flies are gun barrel blue in color.Wild pony's came to the shelter and licked the salt off our legs, arms, and backpacks. I noticed today that my pack kind of smells like a horse saddle! The baby likes chewing on the straps and my ridge rest. 6 Course and Sid came by for lunch. Ratman is leaving the trail for now. Tumbler is taking him to the doctor. He's had diarrhea since Erwin, TN!The trail through the highlands was pretty cool! Everyone raves about it, but I feel like I've seen better so far. More baby pony's before Fatman's Squeeze! It's a rock formation that's hard to navigate with a pack...or if you're fat. I took lots of equine photos. The sky was so bright and blue that it hurt my eyes. The clouds were heavenly and the shadows draped across the plains off in the distance. Mom would have liked this place. Thought about her horse, Katch. That was the name of my mom's filly when I was young. The pony's feet were in great shape. Someone must be looking after them. They had brands on their left shoulders in the shape of a "W" They're fat and healthy! I was leaving Grayson when 2 mares (one pregnant, one with a foal) and 2 studs came charging towards me. STAMPEED! They were farting and kicking the air. I held my ground and didn't move. Just smiled. They went around. I think the mare with the foal was in estrus. There was a pony skeleton at Minnie Gap! Gesh! The whole skeleton!?!? Well, almost. The dead pony was missing it's front legs. I didn't look, but apparently, someone else did and noticed that.Snot pouring out today like a fire hose on the 4th of July. Freaking sucks with a beard. Keeps getting caught under my nose...looks like silly string.Wise shelter tonight with 6 Course, Sid, Yathzee, Cody (section hiker in blue jeans), 2 older section hikers, Long John, Daytripper, Thunder, Conan, Backwards. Conan's lymph nodes are sore. Think he might have Strep. He's ill. Like moody. I'm doped up on Benadryl again.Out like a light...CLICK!