Date: 2017-05-27
From: Walnut Mountain Rd.

To: Dennis Cove, USFS 50
Miles today: 14.3

I woke at 5:45 to warm and pleasant weather.  I had my tent down and was on the road by 6:45.  We knew that rain was forecast for the area but not when it was due.  Just in case it was coming soon I tried to keep a steady pace.  The trail meandered up and down near ridge tops but never actually got up on the ridge till halfway through the hike.  The hike was pleasant, mostly through rhododendron thickets for the whole day.   In the last .3 mile it passed through a grassy area in which an old abandoned building stood.  When I reached the highest point I did a multipurpose stop: emailed my journal entry to my sister Diane to post, checked the weather forecast, and ate lunch. This is in keeping with my new efficiency rule: no single purpose stops.  To save time, when I stop I drink water, eat a snack, pee, clean hands, put more snacks in pocket, add or subtract clothing if needed, and check for cell service. AT&T service remains poor here.  I can usually get enough signal to email my journal entry but not enough to send texts or make a phone call.The rain was not due until 3:00, and I estimated I could reach our stopping place at 2:45.  I did.  Arlene and I were planning to go to a hostel tonight, but we've now pitched our tents here at the trailhead.  I walked up to a hostel .2 mile away, but it seemed disorganized and dark.  So I opted to tent instead.  It's now 6:30, and it still hasn't rained.  Maybe our luck has changed!The nature sightings for the day were few.  I saw a large black snake sunning itself on the trail, a box turtle using the trail for travel, and a red-spotted eft.  The grassy field I passed through at the end was full of daisies, the first big cluster of them I've seen.  There are lots of people out camping and hiking for Memorial Day weekend.  I met several large groups of campers today -- all ages.  One, a boy of about 7, was clearly excited to be doing such a grownup activity.  I'm not used to sharing the woods with anyone at the end of the day, so it's a little disconcerting to have so many people around.I forgot to send thanks to the folks who sent me goodies at Erwin, TN, our last mail pickup.  Thanks to Tony for the baked goods.  I share them with the others in the group, and we all enjoy them.  Thanks to Diane for ordering my purple suspenders (new plan to hold my pants up without having pins on both sides). And special thanks to my former coworkers at the Attorney General's Tax Division.  They sent both cookies and a card with all kinds of encouraging messages.  And ongoing thanks to all who sign my guestbook each day.  When I email my journal entry to Diane to post, I check email, so I do get your words of encouragement.  When you sign the book, please sign your name.  Sometimes the message arrives with a note that the email address is invalid, so if you don't sign I don't know who wrote the message.  Like the one I got the day before yesterday, which could be from Randy or Gene, both of whom hiked with me in Maine.Yesterday I got a note from Scott, our member who had to go home to deal with a heart fibrillation issue.  His surgery is Tuesday, May 30.  He hopes to join us when we reach Waynesboro, VA (best case scenario) or Pine Grove Furnace, PA (worst case scenario).  He has spoken to Terri, our other member who is home nursing a hurt knee.  It appears she may join us when we get close to the White Mountains (NH).  Tomorrow is a short day (8.6 miles) and maybe a town stop.  My most recent shower was last Sunday.  You can imagine how I look and smell.  I'm hoping for a shower, laundry, restaurant food, and grocery shopping.