Date: 2018-11-01
From: Miller Cove Road

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: clear sky

Around 5 a.m. I decided to pack up hoping to be on the trail at 6:30. I ended up on the trail at 6:08 which made me happy. I could see Sprocket's tent lit up by his headlamp but nothing at Schooner's. It was about a 1,600' climb up Brushy Mountain. The trail went up on excellent switchbacks. At 6:40 I turned off my headlamp because the waning crescent moon cast enough light for me to see. Near the top I took a break. The orange eastern horizon made incoming clouds orange and red. Another beautiful morning. The trail continued climbing, leveling off and following an old road. At 8:30 I came to World War 2's most decorated soldier's monument. Audie Murphy's plane crashed near this point in 1971. The small monument had many items people have left to honor the hero. A flagpole was behind the monument with the American flag. I continued on the grassy mountaintop road then descended on more good switchbacks. Schooner caught up to me and we hiked a bit together until VA 621. I left him go ahead since he was faster. It was a climb up to Niday Shelter. I needed to stop for water. An African American woman was there. Her name was Bear. She is out camping for three days and had a small fire going. Schooner came up from the side trail to the water source. I got water and came back. The three of us talked awhile then I headed out. The next big climb was up Sinking Creek Mountain. The trail was rough and rocky but not steep. It angled up the mountain for sometime before reaching the ridge. It was breezy all day but on the ridge it was very windy. The trail followed the ridge for miles. At first it was walking on and off slanted rock. But finally it was walking a flatter ridge.  Schooner had passed me by but we met again at the side trail to Sarver Hollow Shelter. It was 3 p.m. He gave me a piece of mustard and honey cooked Spam. It was really good. I continued on the mountain ridge. One area was very flat for maybe a half a mile and about 100' wide. Huge piles of stone were all over this section in random places. Most of the piles had one section of the stones neatly stacked like a stone wall. It was a strange sight way on top this mountain. The trail finally dropped to Sinking Creek Valley. The trail crossed a road and there sat a 1963 black Ford Galaxy. I believe I've taken a picture of it every time I've passed through. The trail weaved a few miles through various old pastures. I remember cattle on the hills in previous times but not in these fields this time. The fences are down and the old stiles for hikers to pass through are set aside. But the hills and fields are still as beautiful as always. The wind was strong. Rain is coming through later tonight and may last through tomorrow. It was 5 p.m. crossing the valley and the sky looked threatening. I still had two miles to go. After leaving the farmland the trail climbed steadily through Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron. The trail later weaved through thick Rhododendron while following Laurel Creek. At 6:10 p.m. I came to the Laurel Creek Shelter. Two women from Florida were inside. Charm and her friend Screech Owl are out for about two weeks. Charm is prepping to do the AT in 2020. I went to get water and met Schooner coming into the shelter. We both got water and returned to the shelter. The four of us talked trail talk. It started getting dark so I went to set up my tent. Despite the coming rain I opted to tent. I fear I won't sleep well in the shelter with others since I always have difficulty sleeping. Plus I must re-position myself frequently due to my knee and leg and that may disturb everyone. Just as I put the last stake in the ground it began to rain. I got in and started to get organized. The wind was potent. I could hear items falling on my tent as well as a few branches nearby. The rain so far has been sparse. Hopefully in the morning I can pack up without getting too wet. If I am successful tomorrow with another 20+ mile day despite the rain, I may make it into Pearisburg Saturday instead of Sunday.