Date: 2003-05-11
From: Bobblets Gap shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Day 59 Avg Mls/Day 12.7Weather: Morning Overcast, muggy light rain. Afternoon clearing windy, less humid. High temp in 70'sWell I guess timing is everything on the Trail. Remember yesterday when I could hear the thunder ahead of me to the North. Well, they had a good hail storm and over 10 miles of the Trail was littered with fresh green maple and oak leaves knocked down by the hail. I'm just glad I wasn't out in it like some hikers.I got up shortly after daybreak; Charlie was already packed up and pulling out. As I was finishing eating breakfast snacks and packing, the lady section hiker mentioned she didn't see or hear any mice. Just about that time I pulled up my ground cloth and there were 3 little mice turds next to where the head of my sleeping bag was. I never knew they were there even though I woke up several times during the night. Oh well, I guess they were here first.The first 6.4 miles to Cove Mtn. Shelter went fairly easy. I was there in 2.5 hours. There was no water at the shelter so I just signed the register and hiked on. Shortly after 11 I was at Jennings Creek where the Trail crosses VA 614. I had noticed in the guide book there was a campground with a store a little over a mile away. I tried hitching with no luck and ended up walking to get there. Glad I did...they had a hot grill and I had a nice lunch of a cheeseburger, coney dog, fries and 40 ounces of ice cold Dr. Pepper. It was drizzling rain when I finished eating, but I had nothing better to do than hike. They let me fill up my platpus with ice and water and I bought gatorade for my nalgene bottle. The store lady was nice enough to give me a ride back to the Trail. I knew the Trail had two good climbs; Fork Mtn. (2,042') from 951' and Floyd Mtn. (3,560') from 1,337'. Actually both wern't too bad...mostly gradual long climbs with plenty of switchbacks. I got to Bryant Ridge Shelter about 2:45. It is a tri level shelter that sleeps 20 and has a built in covered picnic table pavillion. I would have liked to stayed there but had to hike on to Cornelius Creek if I was going to make it to Glasgow VA on Monday. BTW, there were signs posted along the way that they may be closing the Trail for 4 hours to spray for gypsy moths between now and the end of the month. If that's tomorrow, it would screw up the day.I hiked alone all day. Got to Cornelius Creek around 4:30...pitched my tent and rested. Fixed dinner (Ramon with Swanson chicken added) at 5:30 even though I wasn't that hungry. I've had this issue before. Don't know why I don't have more of an appetite. Probably cause I had a good lunch.There are 4 of us here for the night...2 in the shelter and 2 of us tenting. The only name I caught was Two Dogs who is in the shelter. It should be good night for sleeping...much less humid. In fact, it should be great hiking tomorrow with highs in the low 70's.Personal Message: Mom, today was Mother's Day and even though I called you Saturday, I would have liked to at least talked to you today. Your a great caring and giving Mother. Thanks for everything.Thought for the Day: If you want to hike you have to eat.