Date: 2008-05-28
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

It did rain today, although not til we hiked about two hours. Overnight it stayed warm and humid, but did not storm. So we had the pleasure of packing up dry gear, at least. Got an early start, for us - 7am - which helped us get good miles in by noon. I think it is psychologically easier to have done more than half the planned miles before noon, if you can. We'll see if this is justified in practice.Great trail again, today, and rhododendron tunnels, all in bloom - what a cheery sight! And on a gray and rainy day the pinks just jump out at you, and the bright, light new green of the underbrush seems extra vivid as well.Recently we have seen blooming lily of the valley - I didn't know it grew wild, or where - but here it is!It was warmer today than when we last hiked in rain, and it made all the difference, being much more relaxing. I wore a t-shirt, shorts, a light goretex jacket, and a rain skirt from a drawstring-type trash bag with the bottom cut open. This latter item is wonderful: it hangs down a little below the knee, and keeps your shorts (and the stuff in your pockets) dry, and keeps the wind off, adding significantly to warmth and comfort.The trail parallels and crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway in this area, and it was a nice milestone to see it for the first time. It means we're coming into central Virginia, almost halfway through this long state. I've read about this area and it's fun to actually be here. Low ridge walking characterized much of today's hike - higher mountains are coming up soon, though.Feet are doing pretty well. They are always fine in the morning, but start to ache about 7 or 8 miles into the day. I think that just comes with the territory. On days with a lot of elevation gain or loss my knees will ache at a similar point. But they recover overnight also.In my tent, it's 4pm and we were done hiking around 3. It's still overcast, but there is a little solar effect in the tent - for which I'm glad, because it has cooled off a bit, and jackets and tights are needed. Nice to have a few hours to relax, write this, read - relaxation has not been a big part of this adventure yet! If you have backpacked before, you know that there is always something that needs doing, largely because simple acts like cooking or washing take more time than at home.The additional feature of this particular backpacking trip is the en route planning that has to be done every day, around different issues. You decide by studying the maps and guidebooks where you can get food that is not too far off the trail. Then each day you decide roughly how far you will go, depending on where water is (also mentioned in guidebooks), where camping is allowed, and how rough or easy the terrain seems to be. Sometimes you do exactly what you planned and other times you go further or fall shorter - which then affects the overall plan, since you carry the amount of food according to number of days you think you'll take between resupply points. So, there is always planning that needs to be done.A thrush is singing a few tentative notes nearby, and some town sounds occasionally come through - train whistle, ambulance siren. So we are not in the wilderness, but this campsite is very nice and being up a ways on the ridge helps it feel more peaceful.