Date: 2018-05-12
From: Damascus VA North

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 62.6
Weather: clear sky

First, a big shout out to the 6th grade class at Phoenix Central School in Phoenix NY and their teacher Mrs. Calzada, my niece. They are following along on my journey and sending me questions about the AT. I am also sending them some questions back to help me identify various plants and animals along the way.Now, let me continue with ... I HAD MY FIRST BEAR SIGHTING !!!!!Heard a noise down the hill to my right and saw a bear scamper across the forest floor to the base of a tree. I immediately looked around for the mother since you do not want to be between a mother and her cub. Actually, never saw a mother and the bear was bigger than a cub. Not sure how long mothers care for their cubs but this bear, I would guess at a year old. A head the size of a very large dog (like a Newfoundland) and a good 100 pounds or a little more. In any case, it sat there and stared at me while I took this picture from about 40 yards away.This week was also a hike through the Grayson Highlands. Wild horses (small so probably called ponies) live there and were introduced to graze the area which is enclosed by fencing. They are gathered up yearly and given a medical checkup, then released again or some are relocated to other areas to manage the size of the heard. Also saw cows, long horn cattle, white tailed deer, grouse, woodpeckers and the usual squirrels, chipmunks, birds, etc.5/7, Day 55 Happy Birthday to me sister Dee. 12.3 miles to a tent site near Whitetop Mtn road.5/8, Day 56 Hit 500 miles today !!!! I am still surprised that I have gone this far. Went over Mt Rogers, into the Grayson Highlands and 11.7 miles to the Wise Shelter. Woke up the next morning with a horse grazing around my tent.5/9, Day 57 Did 14.0 AT miles and then another 1/2 mile to stay at the Hurricane Creek Campsite. It cost a few bucks but had restrooms and a shower ... heaven !!! Shared the tent site with Notrix and Workhorse.5/10, Day 58 A longer day, at least for me, but some of the easier trail the last couple days. Did 15.9 miles to the Partnership Shelter where we ordered pizza from the phone at the Mt Rogers Visitor Center which is adjacent to the shelter. What a treat even though it took 2 1/2 hours from initial order to delivery. Check out my pictures for the picture of the 28 inch supreme pizza that another person ordered. Mine was only a 10 inch although a little more would be okay since I have now lost 30 pounds on this journey. This is also the day that I saw the bear and with the last few days being dry, mostly sunny, it has been a fun experience.5/11-12, Day 59,60 Staying at the Travel Inn in Marion to resupply, laundry and shower ... rest my body and enjoy the experience of these small towns. You have to eat at the My Puerto restaurant if you ever visit Marion. The best Mexican food, service and prices. Also able to watch 2 hockey playoff games, some of the Players golf tournament in Jacksonville FL (I used to live there and went to the tournament 2 years ago), and spend some time at the local library to use their computer to update my trail journal and get some necessary work done as not everything left behind takes care of itself, although Silvia, my wife, does an absolutely fantastic job of handling most everything so I am free to enjoy this trip. Thank you my dear.Well, time to head out to see some more of the town. All my best and heading back to the AT tomorrow. Hope to start doing a consistent 14-16 miles a day, but more importantly, to continue to enjoy each day.