Date: 2017-06-08
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter Tent Site 

To: Jennings Creek Bridge/Middle Creek Campground 
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: light rain

6/8Bobblets Gap Shelter Tent Site to Jennings Creek/VA 614 (Middle Creek Campground)9.7 milesTotal miles:  756.3The rain stopped sometime during the night, and I awoke to singing birds and partly cloudy skies. My tent was already dry by the time I took it down.  I was on the trail by 7:50. Today was a short day, as I planned on going to Middle Creek Campground, which is only about ten miles down the trail.  Gravity and I hiked together for awhile this morning. The trail continued as it had yesterday and skirted most of the big rocks and boulders we passed.  I have startes seeing a new type of flower.  Called Galax, this flower sports delicate, pointy flower petals that are quite beautiful and add a nice splash of color to the green tunnel.  I saw another doe this morning who stood for a few moments surveying us before sprinting into the woods.  The trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway again, but the mist had closed in so there were no views.  The trail continued to be relatively free of rocks, and there were sections that looked like rocks had actually been moved to help clear the trail. We came across a group of about half a dozen day hikers hiking south back to their cars.  They told us that they were all part of the group that maintains this section of the AT.  We thanked them and congratulated them on the excellent job they were doing. One woman asked if we had noticed the privies.  I told her that they were the best I'd seen on the entire trail, and she told me her husband was responsible for seven of them and had used cedar that he cut and formed himself for the assistance rails beside the toilet seats.  This man has done fantastic work, and if it sounds like I am perseverating on privies, they truly are a vital part of helping to manage human influence in the wild.  Although I see surprisingly few hikers right now, with all of the thru hikers, section hikers, and day hikers, these trails see tremendous use.  By providing privies in shelter/camping areas, the waste problem is largely controlled. Otherwise, these areas would be surrounded by hundreds of catholes. Unfortunately, many hikers are not all that conscientious about digging catholes, and I see many toilet paper "flowers" in the shelter areas that lack a privy.  So, as long as I can, I plan on utilizing the Taj Mahal of trail privies that this woman's husband has provided.  Gravity and I split up for awhile, and I hiked alone the last few miles to the Highway 614 bridge over Jennings Creek.  I observed one other nifty piece of trail work.  On the way down grade to the highway, the AT crosses the Buchanan Trail, which is open to horse travel and bicycles.  Maintainers have constructed an effective fence and stile structure that looks rustic but also effectively discourages horses and bikes from gaining access to the AT, which is open to foot traffic only.  Interestingly, some of the signs that prohibit equine and bike travel, also list hang gliders. I'm not sure how a hang glider could possibly be wrangled up to these places, but I guess it is better to be safe than sorry.  In very good time, I reached the Jennings Creek bridge. Gravity was right behind me.  We called for a shuttle to the Middle Creek Campground, and Luke from the campground was there in a few minutes.  We pitched our tents in a pretty grass area right next to a creek, but not before enjoying the bacon cheeseburgers for which they are rightfully famous. I also had fries, an ice cream cone (double scoop), and two Gatorades. Makenzie made our burgers and also made us feel right at home.  I spent the rest of the day purchasing resupply items (and, yes, they have Spam Singles!), airing out and organizing my equipment, resting, and eating.  For dinner I had a grilled chicken sandwich and a strawberry milk shake. Oh, and onion rings. And a Three Musketeers Bar.  And another Gatorade.  Hiker Hunger continues to be a very real thing, and I find myself getting hungry on the trail more frequently and earlier than before. This is apparently a normal occurrence, and I am working at getting more calories into my food supplies but also make sure I "tank up" every chance I get. I feel great and have lots of energy for hiking, but I have lost 20 pounds in the last two months.  After dinner, I took a shower and headed for bed.  Bedtime is early tonight, as I plan on a big day of 20.9 miles tomorrow.  I plan on getting to Waynesboro by Thursday or maybe Friday of next week, as my good friend and hiking buddy, Mike, plans to join me through the Shenandoahs.  It will be great to see him and hike with him.