Date: 2009-05-26
From: Whitetop Mountain Road

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today, we crossed the 500 mile marker on one of the most beautiful days out on the trail. After packing up our things in the morning, we walked merely 50 feet north up the trail and not only did we find the campsites for which we had been searching, but also our dear friends Gaucha, Jungli, and Willow. We talked with them for a little while before all of us set off together. For much of the first hour or so, we had walked at a slow pace, but I enjoyed it as it provided us with an opportunity to enjoy each other¢s company and to really get to know each other a bit better. We also sang some tunes together and I had my fair share of Scottish songs that I belted in the forest. Willow explained to me that she is married to a Scot and that she has been somewhat entrenched in the finance industry as an investment analyst in Connecticut for many years. Not too many people in the finance industry are able to find a week ¢ nevermind six months ¢ to come out on the Appalachian Trail. After crossing over VA 600, the five of us took some pictures in a huge field of yellow wild flowers before beginning the ascent up to the Mt. Rogers area. When Scavenger and I arrived at the Thomas Knob Shelter, we came across three horses that had been surrounding the shelter. The smallest pony had been scarred and entirely dirty and came up to both of us in a begging disposition asking for food. One is not supposed to feed the wild horses, as this breeds reliance and expectation, so I opted to ignore their pleadings. One other horse was chewing on the wood of the shelter, I think in an attempt to strengthen its teeth. Another one had a fetish with licking one of the large rocks places directly in front of the shelter. This licking and chewing went on for a good 20 minutes and they proceeded to continue, thereafter. We were both hungry, so we bypassed the horses and climbed into the shelter in order to cook some food. Mac N Cheese with tuna and mashed potatoes was delicious! The others joined us soon after to eat. The section after Thomas Knob Shelter (Kilburn Ridge) was phenomenal. Words cannot describe it, so I will not attempt it; only pictures will serve it justice. All I can say is that it felt as if we were on a different planet. I was at Mt. Rogers just this past November on a hiking/camping trip and the terrain was entirely different. Back then, everything was dead or dying and cold and windy. This time around, everything was so green and alive and colourful. I had to stop on multiple occasions to take pictures, and I allowed for nearly everyone to jump ahead so that I could take my time and enjoy the vistas. We then called up Jerry¢s Kitchen & Goods in Troutdale to ensure that they would be broadcasting the all-important Champions League Final tomorrow at 2:30 pm between Manchester United and Barcelona from Rome. They will be showing the game and boy are we excited to watch it! Prediction: Manchester United 3: Barcelona 1. In Massie Gap, we were fortunate enough to be given a Granny Smith apple by a local coming to admire the area. It was very much appreciated. As I am writing this, we just arrived at Old Orchard Shelter, exactly 500.1 miles into the trail. We crossed 500 miles today and we are fairly close to completing 25% of the trail! I recognize that I have a long way to go, but this is a huge accomplishment in my book. I am proud of making it to this point, especially after I had to overcome a nasty ankle injury and cortisone shot five days before leaving for the trail, and further pains and the worst blisters imaginable in Franklin, in which I walked in Crocs for 75 miles, climbing up mountainous terrain in torrential downpours. It¢s been an adventure thus far, but the adventure has truly just begun.