Date: 2007-05-10
From: The Creeper Trail

To: Thomas High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After leaving our camping spot under the trestle bridge, we hiked onward into Virginia, very pleased to be back on the Appalachian Trail and in the woods. It was an uncomfortably hot for a girl from Maine, not accustomed to this weather in springtime. We took lots of water breaks and spread the miles out across the day. After the first big climb, we all sprawled out to rest on top of a grassy bald and a lot of people ended up pink from the sun, Bluegrass and Newt were pretty sundburned later on. Knee braces and hiking boots with wool socks make for some pretty stylish tan lines! Bailey found a rock formation and buried herself into a crevice to get some shade and relief from the hot sun. Today I noticed how the rain has really turned everything green, as if a buttom were pushed and everything sprang to life. The may apples decorated the sides of the trail for miles, their little white and yellow flowers peeking out at us. I could smell some new fragrant plant or flower that had a pungent perfume odor, but I'm not sure what it was. Several ladies slippers also graced me with their prescence alongside the trail and I was happy to see that no one had disturbed them. One thing I forgot to mention earlier was the big incident with Bailey's tail. A few days ago she hurt it and couldn't wag it. She had spent the afternoon swimming in the creek and seemed to be feeling great, excited to play in the water and happy to relax in the sun. However, the next morning when we fed her breakfast I noticed her tail look a bit odd and she could not wag it. After deliberating what to do, we decided to hike to the next town to a vet. She didn't seem to be bothered at all by the situation, so we hoped it was nothing serious. Fortunately it appeared to be a lot better today and the wagging is slowly returning. I was so happy because even though Bailey's tail is like a wrecking ball, especially around coffee tables in people's living rooms, it's so much a part of her.    At the end of the day, just as the sun was setting we arrived at Thomas Knob and pitched our tents. The sky looked threatening, so Kevin and I pitched quickly and we all scrambled into the tent, Bailey content to cuddle into my sleeping bag. I was hoping I could use the cell phone to call my mom, it being her birthday. Unfortunately I had no luck and this made me a little homesick, knowing this birthday and Mother's Day were sure to be difficult ones after losing my brother. I am really eager to call home from the next town to talk and to let everyone know I love them. Trips like this are great in so many ways because you really learn to fully appreciate the special people in your life. I've never missed my family so much and it's good to know how important they are, to be reminded of them and to appreciate them. We cooked our dinner (yet another Lipton side with a tuna packet mixed in) in the vestibule of the tent and enjoyed some hot tea before falling quickly to sleep. Anyone suffering from insomnia should spend a week or two on the AT and I think they would find it quite simple to fall asleep!