Date: 2018-05-23
From: US 11 - Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

1. Date: Earthsday, Forelithe 3 (May 23) 2. Day 393-7 3. Morning temp: 63 4. Weather: overcast 5. Time start: 0805 6. Time stop and miles: 1557/14.7 7. End point: Knot Maul Branch Shelter Log:My shoulder kept me up some overnight, but I was fresh enough when I rolled out of the hotel bed after 06.I got another shower and we went down to a very nice breakfast of biscuits and gravy, a waffel, juice and coffee.Dilly Dilly took me back to the trail and I started down the road that takes you under Rt 81. I was hit with a wave of emotion as I walked away. I realized I was on my own now. It was bittersweet. When I'm with a group, we all work together and keep track of each other. This can be frustrating at times, but it is also nice to have each other to rely on and work with. Alone, I had only myself to worry about and rely on. It was freeing, but also a little scary.I know that in time this nice feeling of solitude will become a dreaded loneliness, but today I felt good.I still can't lift my left arm above my chest without help and can't lift any kind of weight at all, but I found I could operate my treking pole with no problem. It also seemed to loosen up during the day.The day became beautiful as I moved along some nice trail. I entered a grassy pasture and was extra careful on the muddy parts. I came upon three cows standing on the other side of the creek. They seemed to pose for me, so I took a photo. Two more came up to join the party, so I took another.I came upon two hikers talking in a field and met Kudzu and Cap. We discussed an interesting smell in the area that to smelled like cherry pie. It was weird.The day seemed to flow nicely. I leaped frogged all day with Kudzu and a group of four young hikers and saw Fungi again as he broke camp.I stopped for lunch at a nice stream, but hadn't taken an earlier break. I came to the Holston River and the water was high on the bridge, but not flowing over like I had seen in videos. It was the perfect height for a nice foot soak, so that's what I did.Earlier I had listened to my iPod for an hour and I guess when I took my phone out of my pocket for a photo, it had fallen out. Luckily one of the group of four was behind me and she had picked it up. I'm such a klutz. She reunited me with my iPod as I pulled off my socks for the soak. It was very refreshing.The rest of the day went well as I made my up the last of the hills. I sent a text to LoGear at the last peak with my weak roaming signal and moved on to the shelter.When I arrived, Fungi and Turtle 77 were there. I found a spot and set up. This was my earliest arrival in camp so far this Phase, but I was happy to be done for the day.A few other hikers came in later. Some moving on, some staying. I hung out at the shelter for awhile, then headed to my beloved hanging bed to relax and get ready for the end of the day.My shoulder is achey, so I hope I can sleep tonight. Tomorrow is scheduled as a short day, but I will most likely move on a few more miles if I'm feeling good. A 20 is a possibility, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.Flora: Rhody blooms Fauna: chipmunk, squirrel, VOD: a nice view over the fields Smell: cherry pie? Sound: Peleated woodpecker High: All day Low: Realizing I was on my own now Hope: Another day like today