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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
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22nd May 2002 From:
Bryant Ridge Shelter Last night was bitterly cold. I had all of my clothes on and was still cold. The forecast, I hear, for tonight is for 20 degrees Fahrenheit, a real freezer! At least this morning there were no clouds. I started out at 7:00 A.M. wearing socks for mittens and had my fleece top on. The sun started to warm things up around 10:00. It was great to be hiking in sunshine again. The trail out of the shelter took a steep climb for 3,500 feet. This took about four hours to complete. Once on top of Apple Orchard Mountain (4,225'), there was a large grassy area and the views north were superb. I forgot to mention that yesterday the trail crossed over the Blue Ridge Parkway about eight times. The Parkway is a very popular scenic drive that tourists take. Today the trail only crossed the Parkway twice. The second time it did, I decided it was time for lunch, so I sat on the grassy verge by the roadside hoping some tourists would come by and offer me food. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. Just as I was finishing up, Real came along and pointed out that the grassy verge I was sitting on was covered in wild strawberries. How did I not spot them? The fruit was ripe and about the size of a small fingernail. I ate quite a few before moving on - what a treat! After hiking another three miles or so, just before reaching a Forest Service road, there was a big cooler with a sign: "Hikers Help Yourself." Some "Trail Angel" had left a large cooler full of cokes and Oreo biscuits. Unfortunately, the biscuits were all gone but I was happy to drink a coke. Well, you wouldn't believe it, but I crossed the road and 100 yards up the trail was a cooler full of Pepsi this time. Two different Trail Angels I guess. I continued on along the trail and about three miles further on there was a chipmunk sitting right on the trail. As I walked up to him, he just sat there. He appeared to be fully grown and looked healthy enough. I reached down and stroked his back. I think he may have been blind. After a short while, he moved off the trail into the bushes. Tonight I am camped at Marble Spring. The next shelter is four miles further on, and had my toes not been hurting, I may have continued on to the shelter. As it is, I have done 17 miles today and still feel quite fresh. It looks like I will be here alone tonight. I have already thrown my "bear bag" cord over a high tree limb about 200 feet from my tent. I will hoist all of my foot items up above the ground after I have eaten. For those who don't know - when camping in the forest, one's food is kept well away from your tent and placed where bears can't reach it! I'm going to cook dinner now and then hit the sack, so I'll say |
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