Date: 2003-06-02
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Another beautiful sunny day surrounded us today. I could almost get used to this weather, except for the fact that it's supposed to rain Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Oh well, I wouldn't know what to do with 3 sunny days in a row anyway.I had planned on being out by 7:30 this morning, I had a long way to go before the sun dipped down, but didn't get out until 8am. I wore my rain pants and fleece to keep the cold at bay. It was a great morning for hiking; sunny and chilly. The fleece came off only 10 minutes later when I started my 1st big climb. There were to be 3 more to follow.I ate constantly while I walked, dipping my right hand into the "snack" pocket on the side of my backpack and eating whatever I pulled out. Stopping by the Thunder Hill Shelter at 10:30, I had an early lunch, and was on my way.The forest is a sea of purple and pink right now with the Mountain Laurel in full bloom and the rhododendrons starting to bloom too. It's an amazing thing to see day after day and I never grow tired of it.I met a friendly, local couple at the Thunder Ridge Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway this afternoon. They were interested in my adventure and asked lots of questions. I really enjoyed talking with them and even gave them my website address so the could follow along with me.We've been seeing the most amazing brilliant green beetles the last few days. Today I watched one catch and eat a caterpillar and another check the underside of laurel leaves. The leaves had been chewed, so I guess the beetle was in search of the culprit.Late in the afternoon I saw many lizards out enjoying the sun and even saw one big fat one with his head in a decayed tree. I think he was eating ants. Later, but in the same area of Petites Gap I saw a pair of wild adult turkeys and their brood. I had heard a noise in the underbrush and stopped to see what it was. There was some more rustling and then they exploded into the air, babies first, then the adults, chastising me the entire time. I had never seen young turkeys and felt privileged to see this family.I saw my first toad today and last but certainly not least, about a mile from the shelter I spied a deer on the left side of the trail. I saw her tail first sticking out from the cover of a large tree. Then I noticed her head, looking at me from behind the other side of the tree. I stopped where I was, about 20 feet from her and talked to her for a moment. We just stared, each one of us as amused as the other. As I walked forward, she turned, put her tail straight up and in several bounds landed 15 feet from me into the woods. The tail came down, she turned and watched me go off, as if to say, "You didn't frighten me in the least".When I got to Big Cove Branch, a delightful creek that flows through the woods and has pools of water here and there that are several feet deep, I had to stop and bathe my aching feet in the cold, cold water. I spent about a half hour there in the quiet enjoying the peaceful setting after a day of big climbs and knee killing downs.Shortly after, I arrived at the Matts Creek Shelter by crossing a delightful bridge that is suspended over the Matts Creek. Already here were: Spittfyre, Larkspur, Princess Hoot and Go For It, and a '98 thru-hiker named Seasons and her husband Part Time. The Viking and his visiting girlfriend arrived later in the evening and 3 members from the Richmond Balletcame in at 9. Night Fever was the last to show up at 10:30. Lion King was expected but was having difficulty with the steep downs today because of his heel injury and probably decided to tent somewhere along the way or go into town.I'm in my tent tonight for the first time since my week off at Dan River Campground. It still had sand in it! I'll have to get it into a front loading washer the next time I'm in town and give it a bath. I could use one too.