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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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8th May 2002 From:
Jenkins Shelter  It's 7:30
P.M. and I'm at the shelter with Movin', Crankin', Birch, Real, and Ogson.
They're all set up in the shelter and I have my tent set up behind in a
small pine grove.
I started out at 8:40 A.M. this morning as I allowed myself a sleep-in. After a small climb this morning, the trail wound through rhododendron groves for about four miles, gently winding downhill. Whereas Monday was "cross-the-stiles" day, today was "cross-the-stream" day. As the trail wound its way downhill I must have crossed the same stream 15 or 20 times. Each time the stream got a little wider and a little deeper, and crossing started to become quite an adventure as we had to rock-hop each time and the rocks were oh so slippery. Whilst tracking along the stream, I saw two little animals about 6" high jump off the bank into the water and disappear. Two hundred meters further on I startled another one as he let out a squeal and dived in the water. I kept my eyes wide open but did not see any more. The guys in the shelter here say they were probably muskrats. Lots and lots of different wildflowers - I seem to see new ones each day. It's unfortunate that these single use cameras don't do close-ups. (Wildflowers in Virginia above. Picture by Kurt)
Well, we folks here are just sitting around talking hiker stuff, mainly about what we are going to eat when we reach the Deli in two days time (there is a Deli located 1/2 mile from the trail at AT mile 594. I'll be off to bed soon, so I'll say, "Goodnight all." |
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This afternoon it was a long haul up to the shelter and it was quite
hot to boot. I ran out of water half way and couldn't wait to get down to
the stream and cool off.