Day 55 May 31 to Cornelius Shelter

Woke up to a foggy morning. After a breakfast of nature Valley breakfast buscuits with real blueberries I set off up the hill.  The trail quickly rejoined the Blue Mountain Parkway.

No views this morning because of the fog.

I saw more salamanders. 

The trail, while full of UDs was not rocky and I covered the first 8 miles quickly. There we're beautiful forest along the way.  

I saw new wildflowers

I lunched at one of the biggest and nicest shelter on the A.T.

The last five miles was a 2000 foot climb that took over two hours.

Spent the night in Cornelius shelter

Distance 18.6

Total distance. 760.9

Day 53 May 29 zero day in Daleville VA

I had a very restful day in Daleville. But as always it takes time to resupply the laundry and clean up and repack.  I had some good meals to get calories. And I had some really interesting conversations with Nigel and Oluf about everything under the sun.

Day 52 May 28 to Daleville

A rugged day across hight ridge tops

I came across the famous Macaffee Knob

Amazing over hangs. 

I 

It a shame people deface natural beauty

I'm glad Megan turned him down. 

Looking forward to my zero day in Daleville

Total distance 724 miles.

Day 51 May 27 to Carawba shelter

Set out at 7:10.  Another beautiful day.  And thankfully not as hot.  I saw some pinks....

and a box turtle

and some very rocky terrain

on my way to the Dragon's Tooth.

On the way down,  rock scrambling skills were helpful.  There we're some ladders to help down the steep bits.

Rhododendrons brightened the day

Always some good views.

Today I passed the 700 mille mark.

Camped at Catawba Shelter.

Distance: 15.5

Total Distance: 706.2

Day 50 May 26 to Trout Creek

Day 49 May 25 to Laurel Creek Shelter

I passed a river crossing leading to this popular hostel/ campsite

Cables were the crossing

But Eco-friendly he was not. 

It was very rugged past Bailley Gap Shelter.  That's the thing about map profiles.  They can appear flat but the rocks make for tough going.  But then bridges do help make River crossings easier

But always there are good views

Distance. 18.5

Total distance 669.1

Day 48 May 24 to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

It Was a beautiful clear morning cool air for starting out on the 24th day.  The climb down to the river through a very thiickly overgrown path went past the Civil War era cemetery.  

Then the trail went left along a four-lane highway past the Celanese plant

 to  the long climb from 1600 feet up to 3000 feet

Route-step caught to me.  I met him at the fork to Woods Hole Hostel.

I lunched at the Rice Field shelter

where they evidently had sons bear problems.  But they also announced a reroute at that shelter. 

I ended up at the Pine swamp shelter

And even slept there.  (First time in a while)

Distance. 19.3

Total distance. 650.6

Day 47 May 23 A "nero" in Pearisburg

I said goodbye to Cowboy and walked two miles to Pearisburg,  passing Angels Rest.  

I had 4g so I facetimed Becky.

By the way, a "nero" is hiker talk for a near Zero day.  Since I walked two miles. that qualfied as a nero. 

I picked up my resupply and bounce box as well as care package from the Ballews at the Holiday Motor Lodge and had a restful day.  I also had a great lunch at La Barranca... Possibly the best Mexican food I've ever had

Total distance 630 miles

Day 46 May 22 to Angel Rest

Yes,  the food made a difference!   I'm felt reenergized! 

I crossed a river on a small suspension bridge. It reminded me of my old Boy Scout camp. 

I scared up two turkeys.  It's amazing that such big bird fly so well.  Sorry I couldn't get a picture.  They're too fast.

Can you see the small thin trail?

Today I met with Cowboy, a German girl with a really nice Springer spaniel. She's going it alone since Damascus but doesn't like it.  She's afraid of bears.  Even with her dog in her tent.  So I a camped a ways away for moral support.  Only two miles from Pearisburg. 

Total distance. 626 miles

Day 45 May 21 to Trent's camp

A common sight is the red centipede.  I've been seeing them for hundreds of miles. But today I a whole family. 

The forests are now lush and green. 

The forest floor here was covered with the same plant.

I crossed a River on a small suspension bridge. It reminded me of my old Boy Scout camp. 

I've also been seeing small snakes.  This one poses for a picture. 

Today I was feeling down in energy.  I've noticed that after about three days, I don't feel as strong.  I'm beginning to wonder if the lack of calories gets to me after my resupply days or zero days when I tank up at a local restaurant. So tonight I went to Trent's Grocery and had a pretty good pizza and a chocolate milkshake.  I'm wondering if I'll notice the difference.  

Total distance 606 miles.

Day 44 May 20 to Helveys Mill Shelter

A marathon day of 24 miles. Still it was beautiful and not too hot.  Today I was seeing new ferns

I thought I saw fossilized roots. 

Seems they've had problems with bears at Jenkins Shelter

Always nice views

Tired at the end of the day. Water source is a third of a miles a way

Total distance. 589.7

Day 43 May 19 to Chestnut Knob Shelter

After camping in an idyllic  spot 

I walked 16.6 miles over some fairly rugged terrain. There we're it's of interesting rock formations.

The trail maintainers do a great job of dealing with obstacles.  

There we're some great views on the climb to Chestnut knob.

The old stone shelter was a snug places for the night

Total distance : 565.7

Day 42 May 18 to Crawfish Trail

This has really been an exceptional day.  It started out pleasantly cool and sunny.  The scenery has been varied.  Saw an old school house (1894)

Lots of wild flowers 

I had home cooking for lunch at the Barn before crossing under I-81 at Atkins VA

Camped  at Crawfish Trail 

Total distance : 549 miles