Date: 2013-06-01
From: Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 51.7

To: Brown Mountain Creek Campsite
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday Trouble's phone died because it got moisture in it. The unbelievable trail magic continued throughout today. Weight Watcher (section hiker who is getting off the trail today) actually gave Trouble his iPhone. It took a while to get it all switched over so we got back on the trail late. Faucet gave us and lots of other hikers a ride back to the trailhead - what good people they are!When we got to the trail head there was Socks (Dreamers wife) giving out trail magic. I only took a banana since I hadn't hiked any yet today. Speaking of trail magic, today was a magical kind of day. We had a climb up Rice Mountain in the beginning but most of the trail was up and down with gentle grades and the trail was in good shape. The forrest was alive with the shrill sound of cicadas. They sound different than I'm accustomed to hearing - a higher pitch sound. At times I could hear the familiar cicada sound and off in the distance hear the shrill new sound. I noticed as I walked that the sound would wax and wane making me wonder what caused the changing noise. Mid way through the hike we ran into Dreamer who had picked up a can of fuel for me since I couldn't find any in Glasgow. He said I could only have it if I considered it a gift. He absolutely refused to let me pay him. I wish I could think of something special to do for him and his wife. We saw 3 snakes today but the most impressive one was a large black king snake that Matthew found. I would estimate it was 5 to 6 ft long. We watched in fascination as it disappeared inch by inch into a hole in a tree. The hole was no bigger than he was and I wondered how cramped he must have been inside like a slinky. Nearing our final destination, we came to a stream with a deep pool. I considered going swimming but with my first step into the chilly water I knew I was only going up to my knees. It was so soothing to my abused feet. After soaking my feet for a while I sat on the bridge and dangled my feet to let them dry. It occurred to me if I elevated my feet that would even be better for them. I laid down on the bridge and put my feet up on the rails. I could hear the sound of the churning water below me. Looking up into the trees, I was captivated by the leaf patterns and shades of green above me. Far beyond the outstretched branches I could see a hawk floating on the warm air updrafts as the clouds drifted by. I had the overwhelming sense that I was a very, very small child in a big, big world. The remaining hike was no less interesting as we hiked along the steam and passed through an area where you could see evidence of a former community. The area known as Brown Mountain was a community of freed slaves who lived a simple life and worked hard. Matthew continued to do well hiking. Once we got into camp he got stung by a caterpillar and has large whelps on the side of his neck. This may be the beginnings of a trail name . . . caterpillar??We are camped by a stream and enjoyed dinner with Sparky (this is a different one than the Sparky that was with Orange Peel) and Pathfinder. Our plan is to get up early and get a big climb done before it gets hot and the rain gets here. When my sister and niece came they brought things Anita sent to them for me. One of those things is a ultralight down quilt that I will use in place of my sleeping bag now that its warm. It's called a Nemo Siren down quilt and it only weighs 1 lb, 3 oz and I absolutely love it. That reduced my pack weight by about one pound . . . sweet!I got out of the tent just after dark to get Matthew some Benadryl and to get some clothing off the line. By then other people had arrived and there were about 8 tents in our little area by the stream. They had the appearance of grounded hot air balloons as they glowed different colors from the hikers headlights inside the tents.