Date: 2003-07-08
From: Blue Ridge Pky

To: Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

You know how yesterday I was talking about the history of the area thatthe trail covers? Well, today I saw the neatest thing! Towards the very endof our hike this evening, we came up to a sign that told us to look forsigns of history.It turns out that Brown Mountain Creek is the location of an old settlementof freed slaves in the early 1900's. You can still see remnants of thestone walls that they built as you hike along. It was so easy to close myeyes and imagine how they lived. You can tell that they lived simply, butthe land is rich and fertile, and their settlement followed the boundry of arushing creek. I would love to know more about these people!   That was at the end of a good day hiking. We got up early to get packedup and eat breakfast. Mr. Hess, the owner of the campground we were stayingat, offered to drive us back to the trail so we could continue North. As wedrove up the Blue Ridge Pkwy, the sky turned dark and the wind began togust! It looked like an ugly storm, and we were getting ready to hike rightinto it! Mr. Hess dropped us off and as he was saying goodbye, the rainbegan to fall. Being true hikers, we cinched down our pack covers andheaded down the trail. We were prepared for a long trudge through the rain,but as quickly as it started, it ended!We didn't even get wet! All of the sudden, the sky was blue and thehumidity was rising. Ahhh... :)   The trail's terrain was similiar to that of the last week. Luckily, thatmeant blueberries! You have no idea how much easier it is to go up a bighill when you can pick berries as you go! :)   As the day progressed, we hiked past a spillway and Peddlars Lake. Itwas very hot, but with the exception of a short stint across the spillway,we were under the cover of pines and chestnut trees. The trail was fairlyflat with lots of small rolling hills. All in all, very enjoyable walking! Two miles before we got to he shelter, we crossed Swapping Camp Creek.Bumpkin said, "Don't you want to stop and soak our feet?". It didn't takeme long to agree wholeheartedly, and before you knew it, we were sitting onrocks in the middle of the creek. I looked over th find Bumpkin, my lovinghiking partner, scooping up water to throw at me. "You had better thinktwice before you do that!", I said. With an evil gleam in her eye, sheproceeded to douse me! Well, turn about is fair play and suddenly we werethrowing water and screaming like teenagers! I would say we definitely gotour moneys worth out of that stream! :)   We finished our bath...I mean, break, and proceeded up the trail. Themost significnt change in the trail today was that all of the sudden, wewere hiking through Georgia red clay!! As far as the eye could see, reddirt! It reminded me of home even as it tried to earn me my trail name.Luckily, I prevailed against the clay, and made it to the shelter withoutsitting in it!:)   Now, my clothes are hanging on a tree to dry and I amlaying in my tent listening to the sounds of rushing water and laughingteenagers. The church group that we met two days ago are camped here withus, and I think they are having a blast. It makes me want to get a bunch ofkids and bring them out here to show them how neat it is. These kids looklike they are getting the picture. :)   Tomorrow we climb 2500 feet right off the bat, so I am off to sleep. Withsome luck, the Tylenol PM will work a miracle on my feet! :)Love, Anna aka Mud Butt------------------------------Local access to PocketMail mobilee-mail now available in Europe, NorthAmerica & Australia http://www.pocketmail.com