Date: 2013-05-24
From: Davis path campsite

To: campesite before va 635
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

The sprinkling cleared up and it was just chilly so I kept my rain jacket on. I thought it was only 7 miles to the shelter so I was hoping for an early lunch there. I squished through mud climbing over tough fence stiles. Bailey tried to climb one just like me but the boards were vertical so she couldn't. Luckily, the bottom barb wire is cut under the stiles so she can go through. By the 3rd stile that day she figured it out. As we crossed a road into a cow pasture she rolled in a fresh cow Pattie! Her head , chest, shoulders and pack were covered in brown stinky slime. She knew she misbehaved so she tried being cute and rubbed against me, spreading stinky slime onto my gators and Capri. The I tried to brush it off with leaves but it just got on my hands. Great, I have no soap just purell and cow germs are some of the worst. I stomped through the rest of the pasture avoiding cow patties and annoyed at Bailey. I was hoping to find a large creek to wash her in because it was going to be in the mid 30's that night and she must sleep with me. Luckily I came up to t eh Holston river. I promptly took both our packs off and my gators shoes and socks. I had to get in the river too to actually clean her so I rolled up my capris got my crocs on and stepped into the icy cold water. I didn't have soap but I splashed and rinsed her the best I could. She looked at me sadly as I squeezed brown out of her fur several people passed going south and that is when I realized the shelter was still 3 miles away. Sigh, I got lost soon after I crossed the bridge. I was still on a trail and I thought I was ok because I was following fresh muddy foot prints. The trail dead ended and that's when I realized I was more than a little lost. I turned around and after a few frustrating steps found where the trail had made a sharp turn. I hiked past cows again and they stared Bailey and I down. Big black cows still look scary as they stare at you. I was really flustered and ready to be at the shelter when I stumbled across some trail magic. The first cooler had a trail journal and peanut butter and jelly Mmm! the other cooler had Dr. Thunder. I sat down on the cooler enjoying my treats as I read the register. That was just the pick me up that I needed. I arrived at the shelter after several false descents. The guy with wavy hair Teaka was already there. Hawkeye then Redup showed up. Bailey parked at everyone, only napping after she got a piece of jerky. I read in the journal that Kowabonga and his dog Jake (knucklehead) and deMiro were quitting or rather starting a new adventure out west, hiking the grand canyon. WOW! well good luck to them! I discussed with Redup where I was heading only f more miles. We both didn't like camping alone so we wanted to stop at the same place. We squished through more mud and came across several dry creekbeds. My guess is that the water is now just under ground. We found a few flat spots but Redup had trouble setting up her hammock. First the trees were to close together then to far apart. Teaka arrived and Aviator camped just ahead. Teaka, Redup and I ate dinner together. I had chicken flavored pasta side with tuna. Redup shared her cheese which tasted great. It was supposed to get 36 degrees that night so it was chilly. I woke up at 6:40made oatmeal and chocolate. I actually burnt a tiny part of my oatmeal which was the first time I've ever burnt anything. I got going at 7:45