Date: 2011-05-10
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Porter's Field
Miles today: 16.9

After a good night sleep in the tent I was up early (mainly because I went to bed at 8:00). The shin didn¢t ache too much last night so I was optimistic this morning. I was packed and ready to hike at 6:45. Unfortunately, once I started hiking my shin was in excruciating pain with each step. I hobbled the 2 miles to the Rt 60 road crossing and pulled out the guide. I decided to hitch into town and rest the ankle. I called Mary to let her know my plans and we talked for about 15 minutes. Toward the end of the conversation, while I was walking around the parking lot, my leg was feeling much better. I¢m not sure if it was the healing power of her voice or my leg had just loosened up. At any rate I decided to head on. I¢m not sure it was the best decision but I was committed. It felt good for a while, and then the pain came back. This seemed to be the pattern, it would loosen up and feel good, then tighten up and I¢d just limp along. I did make it further than I planned, so it gives me more options tomorrow depending on how I feel. The weather was hot today, and being so high up at lunch time with no leaves it was hard to find shade. I did pass the 800 mile mark today, so that was kind of exciting. The highlight of the day was just as I was going through Hog Camp Gap. I heard a roar in the sky and saw an F-18 (I believe that was what it was) pass low over Tar Jacket Ridge. About the time I caught my breath another one roared directly overhead flying sideways banking through the gap and around the mountain. As he pulled up and straightened out, I could see the contrails of both wings. It was an awesome sight. I wish I had time to get my camera, but it happened too quickly. I did pull out the camera, and change it to video so I¢d be ready if more came. I heard more in the distance most of the day. Later on I talked to two section hikers and they mentioned that they were probably F-18¢s out of the Norfolk base. They said they routinely do fake bombing runs on different targets around the area. Most everyone pushed on past the shelter to Porter¢s field to camp tonight. Everyone is down the hill by the spring, but it was too rocky for me. I¢m about 200 feet up the hill by myself in a nice grassy meadow. It¢s full of apple trees and birds. Hopefully no whippoorwills in the morning. Just for fun I¢m going to try to list all the birds I can remember seeing so far: Junco; Black Capped Chickadee; Turkey Vulture; Brown Creeper; Broadwing Hawk; Blue Jay; White Breasted Nuthatch; Hairy Woodpecker; Pileated Woodpecker; Black + White Warbler; Turkey; Ruffed Grouse; Barred Owl; Bluebird; Robin; Phoebe; Great Crested Flycatcher; Rufous Sided Towhee; Indigo Bunting; Scarlet Tanager; Canadian Geese; Crows, Ravens; Red Tailed Hawk; Tufted Titmouse; Grackle; and Red Winged Blackbird. I¢ll keep adding to the list as I see or remember more. I know I¢ve heard a Great Horned Owl, a Whippoorwill, and a Yellow-Throated Green Vireo. The Yellow-Throated Vireo ¢Peregrine¢ kept telling me about, but I never actually saw one for sure. There are about 10 other birds that I¢ve seen but can¢t identify. I can hardly wait to get to Waynesboro to see my wife and have some good food. Second night with Ramen Noodles and my food bag is looking thin already, so I¢m starting to ration my food. This is not something a thru-hiker even likes to think about as we are already hungry all the time. Well off to bed, it¢s 8:00 after all!