Date: 2008-05-14
From: 1 mile s of Dismal Creek Falls, VA.

To: Pearis Mtn, VA
Miles today: 20.4

I woke up at 6am, stuck my stove outside the tent and brewed my coffee.I got to listen to a brown thrush all morning while I ate a couple Poptarts and raisins and drank my coffee.I heard Retread packing up. He came in just before dark and set his tent about 100 feet away from me.I'm not used to having anyone tent near me, so it seemed strange hearing the noise of someone packing up.I didn't hear it last night, but I could hear the falls at Dismal Falls from my tent.I was all packed and walking north on the Appalachian Trail at 8am.I found a nice small stream coming out of the side of a mountain. I had only walked half a mile, but was out of water.I drank half a liter and filled up one water bottle.I caught up to Retread in about 2 1/2 miles. I checked with him to see if the compass I found this morning was his, but it wasn't.I was walking through the low area around Dismal Creek and I heard a turkey gobbling about 40 yards infront of me.I never did see him....too many bushes in the way.This morning¢s walk was very easy. It was about 5 miles of fairly flat low land where the Dismal Creek and what seems like lots of other small creeks flow.I got to a nice pond just before Wapiti Shelter, and then as I walked up to Wapiti Shelter, I saw a deer watching me from about 20 yards away.I went to get my camera, but she took off running.I stopped for an early morning snack at Wapiti. I had a couple more Poptarts, raisins, nuts, Fritos and a Milky Way bar.There wasn't a register at Wapiti Shelter. I wonder if that had anything to do with the two guys that got shot near here about a week ago.I had a 1,500 foot climb after I left the shelter.I stopped at a nice little spring about half way up and drank a liter of water and filled my bottle back up.I seemed pretty humid out....mostly cloudy and warm.I found an inviting rock and sat down for lunch. I had tuna salad and crackers, Fritos, diced peaches and raisins.I stopped at an overlook on top of Doc's Knob. I walked out to get a couple pictures and met Cash just leaving.She said she's out for a 1,000 mile section....that's a big section! :-)I walked on and stopped by Doc's Knob Shelter just long enough to sign the register and use up a smiley face sticker, then filled up both my water bottles for the night from the cold spring.I met Yazzie who was in a hurry to leave, so he could get into Pearisburg before it got dark out.I talked to Cash a few minutes, and then walked on.The walking got easier again. I knew I wasn't going into Pearisburg tonight, but I did want to get close.I walked another couple hours, looking for a good flat spot along the way to set up my tent.I found lots of flat spots, but they were all way too rocky. I wouldn't have been able to get my tent stakes in.I was beginning to wonder IF I'd end up in Pearisburg after all, but I finally found a spot right on the edge of Pearis Mountain and set up my tent.I sat down to eat and enjoy the view over the edge of the mountain, but it started sprinkling almost immediately, so I headed inside the tent and ate dinner.I had a small can of Spam, Fritos, raisins, a Milky Way bar and a Rice Krispy Treat....just because I deserved it! :-)I took my bandana bath and got covered up because that made me feel cool.I heard an owl just a few minutes ago and I can hear people mowing their lawns about 1,500 feet below me in Pearisburg.Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)