Date: 2017-06-06
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter Tent site 

To: US 220, Daleville, Virginia 
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

6/6Catawba Mountain Shelter Tent site to US 220, Daleville, Virginia 17.8 milesTotal miles:  728.1Today is June 6th, and I would like to begin by wishing my son, Greg, a very happy birthday. Greg lives in England with his wonderful wife, Kathryn, and his beautiful, bright, baby daughter (and Sandy's and my first grandchild), Rose.  Happy Birthday, Greg!  I woke up early, which isn't a surprise since I went to bed so early last night.  The whipporwill was still at it this morning. The sky was clear, and it turned into a perfect day for hiking. Gravity and I left for McAfee Knob at 7:00.  The hike to the knob was largely uphill and not too hard to hike.  The sun was up, facing the spot where the photos of people in the knob are taken. Photos taken at this time tend to render silhouettes.  I am very pleased at how mine turned out.  I enjoyed walking around the area and looking at the views.  We then set out for the Tinker Cliffs, five miles away.  The Tinker Cliffs offer spectacular views of the valley below and the ranges of mountains in the distance.  It is also possible to see a tiny grey spot on top of one mountain; McAfee Knob. While eating lunch on top of the cliff, I met Scooby, another thru hiker who hails from Johnson City, Tennessee.  He sat down and removed his shirt due to the heat.  It was quite cool all day in the shade of the forest but warm in the sun. Gravity walked by and commented that Scooby had been a Boy Scout.  I immediately inquired what aura about Scooby led Gravity to this insight, as I was impressed when Scooby answered that he had been.  It seems that Scooby has a Philmont Scout Reservation logo tatooed on his back.  He worked at the ranch for six years and is also an Eagle Scout. Scooby also informed me of the inherent danger of giving a friend the trail name, Shaggy.  I told him at least he isn't known as Velma. The trail follows the cliffs for a half of a mile, with one spectacular view after another.  At one point, I saw a vulture fly up to a branch and land.  I was able to creep quite close before it chose to launch itself back into the air stream in its search for dead stuff.  It was quite a sight to watch from above as it took to flight. After the cliffs, the trail follows the ridge of the mountain for over five miles on its way to Daleville.  The way was very challenging at times, with numerous opportunities to work one's way through rock scrambles of all shapes and sizes.  Sometimes you go around them, sometimes you squeeze through them, and oftentimes you find ways to work your way over rhem.  It's as much a mental as a physical challenge. We were again greeted with many fantastic views as we worked our way along the ridge. The trail descends rather steeply the last two and a half miles into Daleville.  The last two miles were easy trail and made for a nice conclusion to the day.  Only a few minutes from town, a little doe darted across the path in front of me.  Rather than continue into the woods, she paused, turned back, and looked at me.  I talked gently to her and was even able to take a picture in which she is sort of visible before she decided she'd had enough and bounded into the woods.  Less than five minutes after this exchange, the trail crosses US Highway 220 at Daleville.  The contrast was somewhat jarring.  I really appreciate when the trail actually enters a town. This makes it possible to resupply without having to figure out a shuttle or other way to get off trail and to a place you can purchase needed supplies  (mostly food).  Gravity, Scooby, Speedy, and I got a room at the Super 8, which has a very economical hiker rate.  We then went to the Three Li'l Pigs Barbecue for dinner and then to Kroger for resupply.  Back to the hotel to sort everything out and get to bed.  Today was an idyllic day for hiking, with mild weather, clear skies, and spectacular views.  Of course, anyone hiking this stretch yesterday did it in the rain and fog.  I guess this is one reason why it is said the hike hikes you more than you hike the hike. Tomorrow's forecast is for more beautiful weather, but rain and shine are all part and parcel of the AT.  I'll have plenty more of both,  I'm sure.