Heading South

When we last left our hero, he had completed the northern section of the Appalachian Trail, from Shenandoah to Mount Katahdin in Maine; 1334 miles. I took a month off to avoid some excessive heat and celebrate my 30th anniversary with my honey.

Now, I’m back and trying to complete the southern 864 miles. On day 97 I met up with Spokes, a gent I hiked with up north, and off we went.

Day 97 – Rockfish Gap to Humpback Rocks picnic area (14 miles) 

Day 98 – Humpback Rocks to Harpers Creek shelter (14 miles) 

Day 99 – Harper’s Creek shelter to Seeley Woodworth shelter (14 miles)

Day 100 – Seeley Woodworth shelter to Route 60, Buena Vista (14 miles) 

Trail Conditions and Weather

First let me say that a month off at my age can play havoc with your trail legs. I’m starting slow and hoping to soon get back to where I left off.

The first three days we’re rainy, wet and  cloudy, just like up north. Thankfully, the ground absorbed the water like a sponge and it was rather nice to hike on something other than mud.

The trail has been much easier on my feet than in New Hampshire and Maine. It has been looking more like this

With some occasional overgrown trail.

I had been hoping to find some wild paw paws, but no such luck. Instead, I did find some apples and blackberries.

Who Else is on the Trail?

Not too many people. All of the northbound hikers are long past this point, and the southbound hikers are few and far between, as most gave up due to impossibly wet conditions in Maine in New hampshire.

We have met 4 groups of hikers from Washington and Lee university. A popular orientation program for the small liberal arts school is a 5-day hiking program. They had 21 groups out and it was fun talking to some of the students.

A Gentleman’s Bet

While I was on the trail, I received a text from one of my very best friends asking me to tell him something funny. I sent him a picture of this tree burl,which I think looks like ET. Funny, right? He didn’t think so. What do you think?

Something Strange

I don’t know very much about the weather, or clouds in particular, but I do know when something looks odd. Take a look at these clouds and tell me if you know what’s going on here. They just look eerie to me.

The Vistas

When the clouds would allow, this is what I saw.

It’s good to be back.

Thanks for listening.