Date: 2011-05-04
From:  Day 55 Partnership ShelterÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 

To: Day 56 Relax Inn, Royal Retreat VA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Well last night might have started off in the 50's but quickly dropped to the middle 30's, burrrrr.  My new gear kept we warmish but I was not too cold but not hot either. Sooooo we were very slow getting started this morning since by then  it's only 40*. We finally left about 8:45, and headed down the trail. Today's weather wasn't expected to improve at all and rain in the afternoon was a strong possibility.  Since the Mt. Rogers visitors center was open I stopped in to look around and to ask about the frost I saw way back on Day 23 (April 1) back then I thought it was called Hoar Frost, but now I have been informed it is really called Rime Ice. If you do a search for Rime Ice images you will see Rime Ice is correct. Ok back to today. Yes of course we started uphill and then the usual up and downs right to Chatfield shelter where we stopped for lunch. We rested for about 45 minutes then on to the highlight of the day where we visited a 1890 farm museum. It was just as if the family running this farm, still lived there but were just not home. (pics coming) One of the neatest things I saw was a John Deere piece of equipment that looked like extra large clippers, obviously pulled by animals, maybe for grains or grass, but the coolest part was, it was labeled John Deere No. 1.  Leaving there it was up again but this time there was a great view of a distance ridge and from we were standing, it looked LEVEL, not our usual up and downs. Although the trail was a mix of large loose rocks and packed dirt, there was nothing too easy nor too tough, although Toaster did twist her ankle on one of the loose rocks. It wasn't twisted too bad and she bravely continued on, albeit  much slower, but tonight will be a 3 Advil night for her.  Another highlight for today was the many different  and varied  aromas we encountered as we walked through fields of new spring wild flowers, several times it was truly breathtaking. Pictures can never convey what we experienced as we hiked along.  Then it was on to The Relax Inn and our home for the night arriving about 3:30. About 4:00 it started to rain and continued off on on for several hours, we had made it there just in time. After showers and laundry, it was off to the highly recommended Barn Restraunt, only a 5 minute walk away.  There we had a great dinner of homemade fare and learned that our waitress was a 3 time thru-hiker. (2000, 2001, 2002) It was great talking with her and hearing great stories about her journeys. Then it was back to our room for a little TV, I haven't seen any TV since April 4th, and some much deserved rest. The temps outside are expected to drop once again to the middle 30's, but the rain has finally stopped. The trail gives your mind time to wander so today I thought up this little ditty: While hiking down the trail todayMy body said I must obeyI looked around and then I sawA place to take a nature callBut there I stood all broken heartedDug a hole but only farted. Burma shave,  There are no Owls, no ponies or other familiar night sounds, tonight the only sounds we hear are traffic on the Interstate and noisy activity at the open all night gas station nearby. (I really do miss those Owls) Total AT miles hiked today 11.4.  Nite all.