Date: 2019-04-13
From: Lost Mnt Shelter 

To: Massie Gap
Miles today: 15.92

Saturday April 13, Day 55, Lost Mountain Shelter to Massie Gap (Grayson Highlands General Store) 15.92 Miles.Today was a steady climb up to Grayson Highlands, but first we had to summit Mount Rogers Virginia¢s tallest point in the State. We had some spectacular views from Buzzard Rock and White Top Mountain . Unfortunately the weather started making a turn for the worst and we still had many miles to hike. The good news is that the rain was steady but not hard. The group Q and I have been hiking with is a lot fun and they planned to stop at the Thomas Knob Shelter 12.3 miles out because of the elevation change and the severe weather predictions . Q and I chose to push on a bit ,remember earlier this year our great decision to push thru the wind advisory day on RockyTop and Thunder Mnt ? Actually this time we fell into a great plan we just did not know it at the time. We really just wanted to see wild ponies and then get to the Grayson Highlands General Store grab some food and maybe tent behind the store. This plan would get us close to 16 miles today and we would hit 500 miles for the entire trip. Do you remember the song by the Proclaimers?¢But I would walk 500 milesAnd I would walk 500 moreJust to be the man who walks a thousand milesTo fall down at your door¢Catchy tune which of course was in my head today ,  I¢m sure it¢s got nothing to do with hiking the AT. When we got to the Grayson Highlands Area, I was amazed how rocky and treacherous some of the sections were in the rain and fog. I definitely thought I was in the Scottish Highlands and at one point, I thought I could hear bagpipes. Actually I did hear bagpipes, Q had cranked up his eclectic playlist which includes Scottish music and the Last of the Mohicans soundtrack. Perfect music for the perfect setting! Where¢s my proper Kilt Beaker? For those that don¢t know , Beaker successfully thru hiked the AT in 2017 and he wore a Kilt the entire time!There was evidence of ponies all over the trail, we were careful not to step in the evidence as we both are sporting new shoes wet though they are.We heard the ponies neighing in the distant fog but we couldn¢t see past 25  feet it was so thick. We actually got into stealth mode hoping to sneak up on a heard . I believe they were actually sneaking around us possibly planning an attack under the guise of the low flying clouds. Some how we made it to the end of the park without seeing a single pony only the haunting laughter in the mist.  I don¢t think this has ever happened in the history of thru hikers , I¢ve heard of not seeing bears on a thru hike but this is impossible. Q and I made the decision to return tomorrow weather permitting and retrace our steps , hey we traveled 500 miles to see these animals,a few extra miles won¢t kill us , my wife suggested tying apples around our necks. Well maybe...We called down to the General Store and the owner Dennis came and picked us up. He ordered us some fantastic hamburgers from his already closed restaurant and offered us a room in his inn over the store for a very reasonable rate. He would also let us use his washers and driers for free. A safe haven from potential severe weather tonight! Also our good friends RG and Stingray are already staying here. It¢s a small world on the AT and We have the largest tramily on record I believe!Tonight I¢m safe from the weather and the spooky horses. I hope everyone back home is safe as well.