Date: 2008-09-29
From: Pearisburg

To: Symms Meadow Gap
Miles today: 12.2

I woke early and was walking away from the motel at 7:15. I had a little confusion at first as I usually do when roads are involved. I walked over the bridge over the New River as cars and semi trucks zoomed past. I took a picture of the sunrise and then my camera decided not to work. All the rain must have created moisture in the camera even if I had it in its case under my raincoat. Bummer!Up the hill I went, Peters Mountain. And it was hard work. I had been told there was no water. The pack was really heavy! I have not carried a 40 lb pack for a long time but I bet it was that heavy with 3 liters of water and 6 days food.I kept wanting to take pictures of some color in the woods but the camera refused to cooperate. There was one spot with some lovely bright red leaves. Oh well, at least I enjoyed them in person.After going up 1500 ft or so there was a very nice spring. I wish I had realized this was the water Toad told me about even though the other hiikers had not mentioned it. Oh well.I finally got to a beautiful view spot looking out over farms and towns and mountains and valleys near Rice Field Shelter. The shelter was off trail a bit and I did not go in but sat on the grassy hill in the sun admiring the view while eating lunch. I could have laid down and napped. It was peaceful and beautiful.I put the camera in the sun and it warmed up and decided to cooperate! I took 2 pictures of the gorgeous view.After my leisurely lunch I headed on. The forest was beautiful too with dappled sunlight and shade. The trail now was gentle ups and downs and some even level as I walked ridges. When going through meadows there are flowers. I am suprised there are as many flowers as there are out at this time in the season. I don't know what they all are and the camera quit working again so I cannot take their pictures. There are purple daisy/asters and white ones too. There are alo 3-4 kinds of yellow ones and white ones and a really interesting blue flower that points up, flower clusters together but looks ready to open but doesn't. Interesting.Where flowers are numerour there are a lot of bees trying to get the last bit of pollen before winter. I walk through them telling them not to sting me and so far they have listened and just gone about their business. I saw 2 deer today and one sweet deer stood still and let me take a picture.Other wildlife have been chipmunks, squirrls and, I think, a hedgehog - something of that size and furry that scurried quickly off the trail ahead of me. I think I startled a snake in the leaves too but only saw the shadow of movement before it was gone.While I was resting on a log, Canyon Voice, the only hiker I saw all day came up. He is a long section hiker going north, probably through the Shenandoahs. Cool! We chatted as we walked along. He stopped at the place he thought there was water. I probably should have stopped too but I was sick of carrying so much water and just walked on.Canyon Voice was planning to camp there but said if I didn't mind company he would come as far as I was going. He did catch up with me when I stopped and we have had a good time chatting. He actually has an MDiv from the Methodists as well as a bit more exotic background with Eastern religions. He is a long time hiker and scout too. His company made for an interesting evening.The sunset tonight was beautiful. It made me think of an old Girl Scout song -Fleecy Clouds at sunset glowing, 'or the hills are blending. Not a breath above, below, Softly day is ending. So I sang it and a cow somewhere in the distance accompanied me.We have hung our food bags (6 days food does not fit in one small bear can.) And now, this journal done for they day I am ready for sleep. A good day on the AT.