Date: 2005-05-25
From: Laurel Creek shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Started @ Laurel Creek ShelterDestination: Niday ShelterMiles today: 12.2Total miles: 673.6Stayed in shelterDay 75I started out in the correct direction this morning from the shelter. The thing about yesterday is that as I was heading for the trail a little voice inside me said to make sure that I was going in the right direction and to double check. I did not double check and you see where it got me. I will listen to that little voice from now on.There was an oak tree estimated to be 300 years old on the trail and I looked for it but never saw it. It was supposed to be 0.2 mile north of where the trail crosses a road. Finally, I stopped looking since I had surely passed it. Tonight at the shelter hikers were talking about it. I don't know how I missed it. And I so wanted to take a picture. Oh well!I am glad I did not hike out to the next shelter last night. Today was partly cloudy which meant that there was some sun shining part of the time. When the hikes uphill got me hot and sweaty, the clouds would hide the sun and a cool breeze would cool me off. It was a great day of hiking through pasture fields on mountain sides. Also, the views of the mountains from the ridge top were great. The rock-walking on the ridge was not so great, though. It is a good thing that they were dry and not wet. But I was glad to get off the ridge and off those rocks.One good thing I have to say about the trail just south of where the rock-walking on the ridge was is that apparently maintainers had piled huge piles of rocks at intervals along the trail. Probably one reason why the trail was so smooth.When I arrived at the shelter in midafternoon, Windy, an older man that is section hiking south into Adkins, was there. When he has done that, all that he has left to hike will be from there south. Windy was drying out his tent as I also did. There was enough wind and sun to do a pretty fair job. Windy was having a problem with his one boot. The sole came apart from the toe to about 1/3 back. He put duct tape on it and a piece of thin rope hoping it will hold until he gets his new replacement at a later town stop. He also had a tear in his pants that he sewed up. He is from New York state and a very pleasant gentleman. Later Firefly and Hazy Sonic, Fireball, Brownie and Soulman, Spitfire and Guideless came. Everyone stayed in the shelter except Guideless and Spitfire, and they tented. I have seen mayapple blossoms since hiking out from Pearisburg and the mountain laurels are beginning to blossom. There are many new flowers I see every day and I wish I knew what they all were. There are dogwood blossoms and blossoms from other trees that I see that have fallen on the trail at times and it reminds me of flowers being strewn along a church aisle at a wedding. It really is beautiful. Tomorrow I only will go about 10 miles and then the next day hike to Va. 311 where I will meet Toto. He will hike with me into Daleville Saturday and Sunday and then we will stay in a motel to take care of SHOWERS, LAUNDRY, and some rest. I do not plan on taking a zero day, though, because I want to be able to raise my daily average. Oh, also, if we get into Daleville early enough I hope to go to the wonderful restaurant in Catawba that everyone raves so much about.