Date: 2006-04-18
From: Bristol, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 46 Thanks again Davis's for all the help this weekend! Can't tell you how much we appreciate it! Uncle Ralph dropped us off at the trail around 9:30 and we picked up right where we left off. (No, you're not having deja vu, we left Bristol again on a Tuesday and Uncle Ralph dropped us off again at the trail.) Swiftcreek was feeling much better this morning, and we were both ready to get back on the trail to continue north after our unexpected stop. Crossed under I81 first thing and headed west (yes, west - not only is VA huge, it winds all over the place - through the fields. Took a quick break at the first shelter to read the register and see who had passed through. Heard from Compass the other day that Yoohoo got off in Damascus. We're a little sad but hope he finds something he's more interested in. Beautiful day for hiking today. Warm sun, cool breeze and a cloudless blue sky. We couldn't have asked for anything better. Awesome hiking, too! Got back into the woods and climbed back up to the ridge for awhile before heading back down to the green valley below. The great thing about today is that the green is spreading! In the lower elevations the woods are starting to come alive again! I was so excited to see the color that I tripped about 10 times today trying to look around. Swiftcreek finally said, "You better watch your feet a little more or you'll end up with a sprained ankle." True, true. So I tried my best to keep one eye on the trail and the other in the trees. We passed blooming redbuds and dogwoods and all kinds of trees that are greening up. I was so impressed with Swiftcreek today when I asked him if he could remember the name for dogwoods. He quickly and confidently answered, "Cornelius florida." So close! Good job Swiftcreek! He probably got annoyed with me by the end of the day as I kept pointing at things and saying,"Look at that! Look over there!" Just a beautiful hike today; I really enjoyed every minute of it. Walked through lots of fields and farmland - even saw some cows! Crossed the north fork of the Holston River and right next to it is a beautiful big farmhouse with a huge garden plot. Wouldn't mind having that place - awesome! Made it here to the shelter around 4 and Swiftcreek was pretty tired after being in bed for two days. Passed 3 dayhikers earlier - nice older gentlemen who we talked to for a few minutes. Here with us tonight are Two Shoes, Restless, and Buree in the shelter, and then there's Quarters, Crazy Creek, Stogie, Katelyn, Brian, Don Johnson and Sidewinder(along with 4 dogs) tenting just up the hill. Seems we've caught back up with the crowd - or fallen bahind with the crowd, one or the other. But we're getting to meet some new people which is good.Think I said this before, but I LOVE spring! Watching bare branches sprout new green growth is like watching a miracle happen right before your eyes. Deciding to hike the AT is probably the best decision we've made yet. I am loving every part of this journey (except the part where Swiftcreek got violently ill). Can't wait to continue into spring tomorrow!