Date: 2016-04-27
To: Burke's Garden
Miles today: 81.0
Weather: light rain

Left Damascus a few days back and have been walking in rain for a day and a half. Although warmer, the nights are still cold. Now that I'm in Virginia, I continue to wait for the trail to level out, but the terrain continues very hilly. But Virginia is divided into 4 parts on the AT. I am in Part one currently and have hope that Part 2 and beyond have the promise of more level land. Although I am not officially behind and could still make the end by September, I am hoping to put in more daily miles when the hills level out.   I stayed in an interesting location in Damascus, called the Montgomery Homestead, that holds a particular claim to fame. It seems they had a visitor, a guy by the name of Bismark, who walked the trail for 5 consecutive years and stayed there every year. One day, while staying at the Homestead, everyone there was surprised when the authorities showed up to arrest this guy. Seems he was wanted for embezzling 8 million dollars from his former employer and decided to use the AT as cover. Worked for awhile. The homestead got semi-famous and they have a great story to tell. They also have, and display, the log book that he actually decided to sign. Guess he was thinking he was pretty safe out here.   From Damascus I crossed Mount Rogers and then got into the Grayson Highlands which are famous for the wild ponies that eat the grasses in the upper meadows (picture attached of the ponies). There were a few babies and several very pregnant females. Enjoyed seeing them.   I have seen some other wild-life. I came across another field where 3 large bulls were grazing. There was no fence between us and they took me a bit by surprise. For a moment, we just stared at each other (I holding my breath while 3 large bulls sized me up). After a time, one bull turned and trotted away and the other 2 followed. Guess they can't be too much of a problem to hikers since they have the run of the land (wishful thinking?) I have also seen a woodpecker for the first time in my life (have heard them plenty, but never seen one). He had a big red head, was grey but when he spread his wings, there was white on the underside. Pretty. There have been deer, which look a lot like Wisconsin deer. And yes, we finally saw a bear. My friend Portuguese was walking ahead of me when the Black Bear crossed the trail ahead of us. We stopped, of course, and the bear saw us, then turned to run away. I only saw his back side as he was running. Portuguese was happy for the sighting (he really wanted to see one somewhere out here). But we were both relieved that the bear ran from us and not the other way around.      Some trail folks come with hiking names, others wait to be given them out here. One night in camp, we gave an unnamed hiker his trail name. It went like this. One of the younger hikers- a talented 25 year old- made this guy a hiking stick out of a small tree that he de-branched, wrapped with cord then heat shrunk.   This burly guy had a beard, liked to wear a blanket around his waist to stay warm, and now had a tall new hiking stick which looks like a staph. So put it all together, Moses! So there you go.   We crossed paths with 3 nice ladies after Grayson Highlands who are section hiking the trail. One of these ladies has walked the entire trail over a total of 22 years. Had a great conversation with them I really enjoyed. They will be driving ahead and heading south so I am hoping we will cross paths once more.   I officially crossed the quarter way point a few days back and feel I am getting stronger. I am happy to be enjoying the beauty of the scenery, the trees that are leafing and the spring flowers, and the breathtaking mountain vistas.    I am planning to walk to Mile 574 where Mary Jo is meeting up with me near Burke's Garden. I am looking forward to seeing her and taking a few days off the trail.   Wondering- About how awesome the experience is to live within these natural places, and not just drive by them in a car. Lucky..