Date: 2007-05-25
From: VA 42

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

After arranging a cab to take us to a road crossing, we arrived at VA 42 this morning feeling a bit better and ready to hike. The trail gently meandered its way through farm fields and around trees before dipping down into a valley and then climbing back out. We passed an old abandoned house and back up a hill before reaching the Keffer Oak, a tree which I fell in love with. This massive remnant of days gone by is more than 300 years old and over 18 feet around! Enormous branches spread out like the tentacles of a woodland octopus, reaching down to the ground and upwards into the sky. The trunk itself amazed me and I had Kevin take a picture of me trying to hug it, which was difficult given the broad expanse of bark. I love to see trees like this that are still standing tall, left untouched and unspoiled. It¢s tragic that there aren¢t more of them around for people to appreciate. We spent a long time admiring the ancient old tree before heading on our way.We crossed another series of fields before climbing steadily uphill pass several power lines, contemporary reminders that we are not truly in the wilderness. After the climb we approached the side trail to Sarver Hollow Shelter, which was nearly 12 mile downhill off the trail. I dropped my pack and grabbed only my water bottle and snacks before heading downhill, knowing it would not be fun to hike back uphill with my full pack. Kevin, Bailey and I enjoyed a snack break in a surprisingly nice shelter and refilled our water. While we were getting water we noticed what was left of an old wooden building, possibly a chicken coop or tool shed. Exploring further, we walked among what was once a homestead with several buildings that had gradually been reduced to rubble over the years. A towering stone chimney stood at the end of the house, standing tall next to the caved in walls and roof built out of hand hewn logs. Around the area were the ancient remains of crumbling stone walls and little reminders that we were not the first to visit this place. I love finding places like this, as I mentioned earlier when Kevin, Bailey and I visited the Settler¢s Museum. It¢s nice to stop and take a step back in time, slowing down the pace of everyday life and appreciating the past. Upon heading back up the hill to the trail, we met up with Fire Fox, Jungle Jim and Sleeping Beauty, headed to refill water. We advised them to check out the homestead as some people might not even notice it. Rocky ridgelines led us over Sinking Creek Mountain where tiny lizards skittered over the smooth rock surfaces like tiny brown lightning bolts. As I descended, I noticed that the Mountain Laurels were everywhere, shrouding the sides of the trail and claiming their stake up the valley walls. Their smell is intoxicating and I wish it came in a bottle to spray around the house! It almost reminded me of lilacs back home in springtime. The flowers on these plants are incredibly detailed dainty little creations with tiny purple polka dots on white petals. I¢ve heard they come in other colors, but these ones where primarily white or a delicate shade of pink with purple accents and I loved them. I hope to sketch some when I get back home. I arrived at the Niday Shelter within a few miles and found it to be surrounded by more Mountain Laurel. Kevin arrived shortly after, followed by the rest of the gang. We chatted with General Tso, Fire Fox, Sleeping Beauty, and Wrong Way for a while and then went to sleep thinking about what tomorrow might bring. I am excited for the Dragon¢s Tooth tomorrow, a large rock vista that you can climb up. Can¢t wait!