Date: 2004-05-18
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Grayson Highlands, home to the "wild" ponies, greeted us first thing this morning. The highlands were awesome but, of course, we wanted to see ponies. From a distance, perched atop a rocky peak I spotted one and thought he was right on or very close to the trail. Indeed, I was correct. He allowed me to get within 15 feet of him but kept skirting away at that point. Further up the trail two times we saw a grouping of four or five, but they were too far away for a decent photograph. The romantic story I envisioned regarding these herds of ponies was destroyed by an explanatory sign when we finished crossing Grayson Highlands.The true story in a nutshell is this: the balds on the mountaintops were caused by man over-harvesting lumber in the 1800's and then leaving the raped sites to erode. The Dept. of Forestry is trying to retain the balds, which have now grown over into natural grasses, shrubbery and blueberries. Each year the tree forests are encroaching further into these areas.It seems to me this would be the preferred scenario but the Forestry Dept. thinks otherwise, probably because of the uniqueness of and vistas from same. So that blows the theory of spaceship landing fields! In an effort to maintain these balds several different animal types were introduced. But they either needed supplemental feeding during the harsh winter months (cattle) or needed extra maintenance (sheep). In 1974 a local farmer was attempting to breed a new species of horse he would later register as the Virginia Highlander. In his efforts he had excess herds and offered some to the Forestry Dept. These horses proved to be self-sufficient and able to survive. There are two herds, one in Grayson Highlands and the other in Mt. Rogers Recreational Park for a total of 125 horses. Each year they are corralled for counting, vaccinations and care. So much for idealistic romance.We paused for lunch at Wise Shelter where we were serenaded by "Jukebox" and his camp guitar. From there it was a quiet, lovely and easy hike to Old Orchard Shelter. I chose to set my tent as it needed drying out from two nights ago. April Showers and Ursa Minor followed suit awhile later. Pretty soon the shelter was empty and now we've another delightful tent city in existence. The campfire was warming and the company magnificent. Around the fire: Can't Zip/Bent Frame, Dirt Nap, April Showers, Ursa Minor, Momma's Boy, Blue, Banjo, and the Jersey Brothers. Swiss Miss, Sheriff and Rob moved on after a short break and water resupply earlier this evening. I've a few raindrops hitting my tent; hopefully that's all the precip we'll have tonight.Yesterday my shoe laces were laced differently and a bruise developed on the top of my right foot. Today I wore my new custom made Superfeet footbeds, left the right laces very loose and my feet felt marvelous to the extent I didn't even take my boots off until 7:30 tonight.The daily diversity of this trail is amazing. Today is at the top of the list one of the most relaxing by far, beautiful, peaceful, freeing and joyful. How I wish I could somehow bring home a bottle full of just this present moment to share with all of you. I'm so blessed to be experiencing six months of ceaseless "living life to the fullest". After my "re-entry" this fall, should reality start to gain control and suck me dry emotionally, it will be nights like this which I shall bring to the forefront of my consciousness. I wish you could all be here with me right now......but in your own tent!10:15 and all is right in my little world.