Date: 2006-05-01
From: US 220/Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Day 56 Monday Got a good night's sleep here at HoJo's and a continental breakfast (lots of weak juice and sugary rolls, donuts, etc., plus bananas and lukewarm coffee). Found out that the outfitter here doesn't open till 10 AM, which will delay my departure from town. Hope it won't mess up the schedule for getting to Glasgow on Wednesday and Waynesboro on Monday. The Weather Channel says chance of morning showers tomorrow and some afternoon/evening thundershowers later in the week. Since rain is inevitable on the Trail, I guess "chance" of rain is better than "100%". If I get at least a few minutes notice to put on pack covers and rain gear, I'll be okay. Now at Fullhardt Shelter for a lunch break. we didn't get out of town till 11:30 AM, so I may get off the "paper schedule". Met Stogie and Caitlin here-they were in Daleville for 3 days for foot rest and recuperation. Also met Brett, a young guy from Texas. At the outfitter I got new shoulder straps, taken off a pack in the store. Mark Futrell, the manager at Outdoor Trails, was extremely helpful. They were as comfortable as the old ones, so I guess they're okay. Flashback to yesterday-I was so tired last night that I forgot to tell about the snake that I frightened up on the ridge yesterday. I heard some noise in the leaves beside the Trail as I walked by and glanced down in reaction. By the time I realized what it was, Mr. Snake was 20 or 25 feet away, in the leaves the whole time. I actually never saw it, but by the way the leaves were moving it was a snake, probably between 2 and 3 feet long.               WILDLIFE REPORT: Saw my first bear today, or more accurately saw a glimpse of black fur as the bear ran away. He (or she) was several hundred feet away when it heard us and took off. In just seconds it was out of sight and we saw nothing more of it. Late this afternoon a good-sized buck ran across the Trail in front of me. I wish they'd give me enough notice to get the camera out.NATURE REPORT: There'll be a good huckleberry crop this year-lots of blossoms.The flame azaleas today had blossoms that were much darker, more intense pink than the earlier ones I saw.                                 HIKING REPORT: After the first half hour getting out of town and across I-81 and US 11, we had a long 1.5 hour climb that was suprisingly easy, due to the grade and walking surface. Almost no rocks were there to break the rhythm of keeping a good pace. That kind of Trail continued till Black Horse Gap, which I crossed about 6:00PM. North of Black Horse Gap the Trail changed distinctly. Uphills were straight up, and downhills were straight down, whether steep or not. And rocks were a constant obstacle to maintaining a steady pace. This difference might be due to Black Horse Gap being a fault line between geologic classes, or perhaps it's because different hiking clubs maintain the two sections. We did 18.5 miles today after not leaving till 11:30AM. To do that, I stopped at Wilson Creek Shelter about 4:30 or 5:00 and fixed supper, took a rest, and cleaned up. At 5:30PM I headed back out for a 7.5 mile segment to this shelter. Piece of Work moved ahead almost immediately, and I did not try to keep up. Sometimes it's nice to hike by yourself, and this evening was one of those. North of Black Horse Gap the Trail parallels and occasionally crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway, and I was again reminded what a beautiful roadway it is. As I was walking the late afternoon sun was coming from behind me through trees with about 10% of their leaves out- simply gorgeous! When I got to the shelter the sun was down, but all that needed to be done was unpack, roll out the pad and sleeping bag, and climb in. This scheduling is great if the weather is good; it's not recommended if a late afternoon thunderstorm is expected.  HIKER REPORT: Saw Doogie at the outfitters in Daleville; we first met way back at Tray Mountain Shelter, before Hiawassee, GA. He is a recent high school graduate with a year or 2 at Georgia Tech already completed. In 2 years he starts medical school-hence the name "Doogie Howser". When I was at Wilson Creek Shelter for supper Stogie, Caitlin, and Brett came in. Stogie is a recent GA Tech graduate who will start Law School in Grundy this fall. Seems like a nice guy I would enjoy hiking/camping with. Caitlin is still a student at GA Tech-she has 2 months to hike then back to school. At this shelter are two section hikers who hike a section together every summer. Jaybird is from Nashville and Jigsaw from Mass.   I'm tired, and it's cold sitting here at the picnic table. Good night.