Date: 2004-05-30
From: Iron Mountain Shelter, TN

To: Photo Day
Miles today: 16.3

This morning, Zip Off speculated about the source of the mess among the shrubs behind Watauga Lake Shelter. He surmised that weekend hikers were to blame for it, not long distance hikers, because that shelter is located near popular Lake Watauga.Today was photo day on the Appalachian Trail. I don't know much about it, but some people told me that on this day, hikers up and down the trail are being encouraged to take photos and submit them to a collection of still life photos depicting scenes from this day on the Appalachian Trail.While hiking during much of the morning, I looked around for picture ideas to contribute to this day in the life project. Later, I will find out if the organizers of this photo essay are on the up and up.While turning a corner in the trail, I was confronted by a large ground fowl, possibly a ruffled grouse. In a defensive reaction to my sudden presence, the animal raised up its back feathers, moved around rapidly, and squawked at me. I jumped backwards, startled by the commotion. Then the bird moved off into the trees, still squawking. Unfortunately, the camera was not handy to capture that moment.Later in the morning, the trail followed a dirt road which passed through an abandoned farm. On either side of the road were pastures some of them covered with dandelions. Along this road, I took some photos. The first image depicted the skeleton and furry remains of a dead raccoon lying upon the trail, with my hiking shoes positioned beside the animal. It might seem bizarre taking such a photo, but there was something eye catching about the appearance of this animal. I assumed that the organizers of the photo documentary will be inundated with clich© photos of sunsets and scenic overlooks, and that they might appreciate something offbeat.I took a scene setter photo where the trail passes by some old outlying buildings on the farm. Two southbound hikers conveniently walked into the composition which added perspective. Afterwards, one of them informed me that he was legally blind.A rusting barbed wire fence adjoined the dirt road. As I walked along the road, a pair of birds, possibly sparrows, took a keen interest in me. As I walked, the sparrows flew from one fence post to another, escorting me across much of the farm. I became so entranced watching them that I missed the spot where the Appalachian Trail turned off the dirt road and entered a field. For a while, I followed the dirt road until it was about to enter the woods. At that point, I realized that I was going the wrong way and turned around. The trail re-entered the forest and it began to rain heavily. I stored away my camera and donned some rain gear. Within a few minutes, the trail had turned into a stream of brown water and I was getting soaked.It dawned on me that I should continue taking photos during this inclement weather, after all, hiking in the rain is a condition which all hikers must contend with on the Appalachian Trail. I took several photos related to the rain. The best one came after I had stopped at a shelter for lunch. A hiker named Yoga Monkey, a middle aged woman, arrived after having hiked in the rain. She was soaked to the bone. She sat down at the picnic table, removed her footwear, and wrung out her socks. Click! That was the photo which I took.For most of the day, the terrain was easy to hike upon, consisting of gentle ups and downs. Too bad it had to rain for so much of the day. I become easily chilled while hiking in the rain, particularly during thunderstorms where cool breezes occur. Today, I became chilled to the point that I had to wear a warm hat.Tonight, I have strung up my hammock close to Abingdon Shelter at 3,785 feet. I am seated at the picnic table composing this journal. Zip Off and Kato are sleeping on the floor behind me. The mice are moving about in the rafters above me. A few minutes ago, I stood up and cornered one of them in the beam of my headlamp. The rodent was grey and white, and quite large for a mouse. I experienced a momentary impulse to grab a heavy object and whack the creature but resisted the urge.Outside the shelter, the rain has been replaced by cool winds. These winds are useful. They will hopefully hasten the drying of our footwear and other wet items that are hanging on lines just inside the entrance to the shelter. These winds will hopefully ventilate the interior of the hammock enabling me to sleep better.Tomorrow, the plan is to hike ten miles to the town of Damascus to resupply. Along the way, I will cross into Virginia. That will represent a milestone and a morale booster.