Date: 2018-10-28
From: Bryant Ridge Stream

To: Wilson Creek
Miles today: 21.4

Sleep was kind to me last night. Haven't slept that well in months. After coffee I packed up then shaved and washed my hair all while using my headlamp. On the trail at 6:54. I could hear train horns right away. Since I messed up on some of the trail last night, plus since I arrived in the dark and left in the dark, I was somewhat worried if I was on the AT. In the dark a light blue blaze could look white. Then the words from the end of the song Nights in White Satin repeated in my head: "Cold-hearted orb that rules the night, removes the colours from our sight, red is grey and yellow white, but we decide which is right, and which is an illusion."  As daylight arrived the color was white and all was right. The hike goes forth. A big drop down to Jennings Creek and then a good climb out. It was chilly and breezy. Cove Mountain was the big climb for the day but it was well graded. The trees on the mountain changed to pine surrounded by thick mountain laurel. Around noon the sun came out. Still breezy but a beautiful day. From a vista the mountains look more orange today. I could hear a train blowing its horn as it traveled along the James River down below the mountains. After ascending out of Bearwallow Gap I found a big rock and took a break. I made garlic mashed potatoes for lunch. I wanted to have a full stomach to push on this afternoon. The terrain looked good now that the big ascents and descents are done for the day. The wind died down and the temperature increased as the sun stayed out. I hiked in shorts and a long sleeve top. The trail was good, sometimes following old roads. As the trail followed an old road it came out to Harvey's Knob Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I stopped for a break on one of the three large boulders blocking the old road. A white van at the overlook came my way and stopped. A guy got out and asked if I was a thru hiker. I said yes as he walked towards me. As he talked to me I was eating a slice of Spam. I planned to toss the wrapper in the trash can at the overlook so not to draw bears later tonight. Joel asked why I didn't have a beard. I said I like to be clean. I told him some thru hikers think I'm not a thru hiker because I'm clean. He offered me fruit and I asked if he had water. I've been out of water for some time and it was five miles to the shelter. He said yes. He walked back to his van and got a water bottle from his wife. I met him halfway from the van to the rock with my water bottle which he filled. He also gave me a banana and an apple. I thanked them and told them they made my day. They have a friend who thru hiked and were eager to help hikers. He said "God bless you" as he got back in the van. They waved and were smiling as they drove away. After eating the fruit I deposited all my trash in the trash can. I crossed the parkway and followed the trail. It would cross the parkway several more times before the trail headed the mountain. While still on top I saw the clouds to the west and they looked like rain. At 4 p.m. it started to sprinkle and it lasted for 20 minutes. There were a few blasts of strong wind. I had my rain gear on. Just after I crossed the parkway for the last time the rain stopped. Around 4:45 I came to a stream. Sometimes a stream and rain on the trees sounds similar. I hoped the noise I was hearing was the stream. But as I got beyond the stream the noise increased, rain was coming. I had taken off the rain gear and was now putting it back on. Then the rain stopped. After 5 I took the rain gear off as I was too hot. As the trail descended I could see the clouds to the west. It looked like more rain. The air seemed warmer as I descended. There still was a breeze but not as strong as up on the parkway. I went by the Wilson Creek Shelter after 6 p.m. Only one more mile to go. I hoped I get there before dark. I came to the creek and began looking for a place to camp. First place, too close to the trail. Second place had lots of bones on the ground. I came to one right at the stream crossing and dropped my pack. I went across the stream to look up the trail but that's all it did was go up and up. So, back to where I dropped my pack. 6:30 pm. Just as I begin setting up the tent it began raining. I got the tent up and rain fly on but it was wet inside. Threw all my gear in then got water. Then I got in the tent wet, wet but not soaked. I used my camp towel to wipe the water off the floor. Then I got into my sleeping bag and quickly got toasty since the air is kind of warm. A cascading stream is next to me for another night. Hope I sleep as well as I did last night.