Date: 2014-06-05
From: Pickle Branch Shelter 

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 32.4
Weather: broken clouds

We woke at the Pickle Branch Shelter where we had camped. A storm had come in the previous night but had blown on through. The rain held off the rest of the day. We were rewarded with wondeful views most of the day. We walked high on the ridge with many views and came to the Dragon's Tooth. This hug monolithic outcropping resembles a giant dragon's tooth. The scene to the valley below was beatiful. OK loving to climb and still being a kid at heart climbed the roch structure.(pitures on facebook hickingwiththeslays) The climb down was a bit trecherous. I always say the AT is not a walking trail. By definition the moment you begin to use your hands you are no longer walking. We had several large boulders to navigate. Some even had rebar ladders placed into the rocks wall. We had reviewed our food supply and realized neither had enough to reach town. Not to worry there was a store only a short distance from the Trail. A detour was made. At the store we ordered pizza, drank soft drinks, ate more junk and filled our food bags. Back on the Trail we quickly came to another mile stone. We crossed the 700 miles mark! Thats a lot of walking but we still have a long way to go. But every step brings us closer to our goal. Water has been a constant concern as we have gone through a dry spell. It was no different as we climbed up to McAfee Knob. Guide book showed water, however once we reached the spot we found none. We continued a short distance and found a few small pools only a few inches deep. We were able to pull just enough water to fill our bottles and get us to camp. McAfee Knob is said to be the most photographed spot on the TRail. It is a large pulpit like rock that juts far out over the valley floor far below. Again the views were excellent and the many pictures were taken. (check facebook). That night's destination was the Campbell Shelter. We made camp, started fire, and cooked our meals. Fell aslepp excited to be in town the following day. Some time around the late hours I was startled from my sleep. I had heard a rustilng and a large comotion from out in the darkness. Not that a tent provides any protection but I was cowboy camping and felt extra vunerable. I reached for my headlamp to see what I could out in the night. Just my luck the batteries were dead! As the creature crept ever closer I became more and more anxious. Just at the final moment when I was sure I was about to be eaten by a bear two dogs approched. Relieved I tried to fall back asleep. The dogs had other plans. One a large Doberman crawled up in my bed roll while the other, I have no clue what kind, ran around camp the entire night. It was a restless night. But I knew we were safe with our two new companions. After a sleepless night we awoke early. We had previoulsy made arrangments with our wifes to meet us in town. The excitment of town; showers, food, and seeing the ladies made the miles fly by. We had more photo worthy views from the ridge. We came to Tinker Cliffs. This is a half mile cliff walk with views at every step to the valley below. It is said the cliffs get thier name from Civil War deserters who fled to the cliffs. They "tinkered" with pots and other tin objects. The rest of the day we walked under the canopy of the trees over head. The miles came quickly as the Trail was mostly down hill and we had extra motivation to reach town. As we approached town OK mentioned how he could smell it. It is impressive how all of our senses have been hightened since being in the woods. I guess we are becoming more primal and honing our animal instincts. Lord knows we smell like wild beast. The girls were waiting on us as we exited the woods. Town never looked so good. It is planned to take two zeroes (non hiking days) and enjoy time with them. There is a mini Trail Days cnonvention in town. They will also be staying with us a few weeks. The plan is for them to set up a base camp, drop us off to hike each day and then meet us at the end of every day. The chance to do some slack packing and to see them each day will go a long way to lift our spirits and give our legs some extra energy. Up next we enter the Blue Ridge Parkway and then on to The Shenandoahs. Stay tuned ya'll. Life is good,      Salty