Date: 2010-05-07
From: Catawba Mountain Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Sleep didn't come very easy last night. The night was warm, and the bugs were horrendous! I already have fifty plus bug bites on me (been scratching constantly although I try not to!) and i'm sure after last night it's only worse. I did end up sleeping in the shelter last night since I got in so late and the guys all love Kelly so it was cool with them. She ended up sleeping outside the shelter anyhow since the night was so warm.Got out of the shelter around eight this morning and climbing up to McAfee I felt pumped! The climb was mild and it wasn't long before I saw the sign pointing to the blue blaze that would take me to this infamous landmark on the Appalachian Trail. McAfee Knob is the most photographed place on the AT and after seeing all the pictures it was amazing to actually see with my eyes. Sort of like Springer Mountain. Despite the cliche, I had to get a McAfee picture with Kelly and I and I so happily sat on the edge of that rock to get it. Even Kelly was happy to be at McAfee, when I took her pack off she wriggled her body and jumped up and down all excited. We weren't there long before we started to get chilled and headed back down the trail. Tinker Cliffs weren't too far from McAfee Knob and they too were spectacular. The trail follows along a cliff edge with amazing views for nearly a mile.Fortunately, the rest of the day was pretty easy. I had noticed this morning that Kelly looked a little off in her gait, definetely not limping, just a bit off. I don't know much about what the pads of a dogs feet are supposed to feel like, but normally they have a sandpaper type feel and as I felt them this morning I noticed they felt softer. I sure hope we aren't going to have problems. Today we were heading into Daleville and hopefully I can figure things out when we get to town. She still happily hikes in front of me and doesn't seem too concerned, maybe just a little bit more careful, or maybe i'm just being a little paranoid? The last ridgeline before Daleville was tricky. I am pretty sure the soles of my feet are pretty bruised up and everytime I put my left foot on the ground I feel like i'm slamming it on a little pebble, ouch! I ran out of water, AGAIN, on the ridgeline so I knew I couldn't stop for a break until I hit water which wasn't until right before town. The guidebook was once again taunting me. The guide listed two powerlines before town... well, I hit three powerlines and an opening for powerlines. At each powerline I thought, ok, only two more miles, till I realized that there were definetely more than two.. I think maybe I need to stop looking at the guidebook so much and just hike!It seemed like the descent took forever, but at last I could smell the greasy fried food of town and could hear the traffic on the highway and knew it was just around the corner, yes! I was so happy and I made it to the outfitters just in time. I ended up buying a pair of Montrail shoes since I really didn't think I could hike another week in my Keens. The plan is to send the montrails home when I get to Damascus and have my mom send them to me when I get to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is notoriously rocky and I was planning on having a new pair then anyhow.Tonight i'm splitting a room at the Howard Johnson with Castor, Tenfitty, and Nemphis. Kelly looks truly tired for the first time on the trail so i'm very happy we are in town.