AT 45 - 10th May (504.3)

Maple sap

Fat Man squeeze. I fitted!!!

 500 miles done. Can’t believe it. Landscape changed completely this afternoon. It’s called the highlands. Very spectacular. Rocky, barren, wild ponies. And did I mention rocky, very tough on feet and knees!! Hot sun also so got cooked. Got to camp and river right beside it. Deep pool so had to swim #8. Someone else had a fire so sat around and chatted and marshmallows for anyone who wanted one. I actually traded spinach and blueberries for red wine, since my wine was gone. Winner. You’ll all the thinking that I’m living it up out here. It’s the little things that can outweigh the aches and pains. 

Observation thought. 

Size doesn’t matter, it how you use it. 

There is a small woodpecker that seems to peck on hollow trees. It sounds like a Kongo hammer. You’d swear it was a bird like an eagle pounding an oil drum. Then there is a larger woodpecker about a foot long and he pecks live trees. You hear him but the sound is duller. Never worry about size. 

AT 44 - 9th May (486.7)

 Brilliant 2 days in Demarcus. Lady Di’s hostel was lovely. Breakfast was amazing. Left after breakfast and the rain had stopped. As usual I oversupplied. Putting my backpack was awful. It like when you go back to the gym after Christmas and think nothing has changed. (Personally I talking about 20 years ago). You put 10kg extra on the leg push and knee bend machine. Your knees scream “forget this, the saunas is calling you”. “If you try this you’ll break your leg bones.”  “Wouldn’t you prefer to relax in the swimming pool.” My food bag was 15lbs, I bought 5 days food. I also had the decanted red wine. I could hardly walk. I headed out of town and settled into the extra weight. Lots of climbing but very beautiful. I nearly swam but the path diverted from the river until I decided. Boot Lips (69) beat me to the shelter today. I gave Gandalf a hard boiled egg today, I told him it was a dragon egg. Most eggs in USA are white not brown. I know we have white eggs but most brown, in Tesco anyway. 

I shared my wine and marshmallows so the bag will be lighter tomorrow but not by much. 

AT 43 - 8th May (470.7)

 Zero day (no AT mikes). Relaxing day in Demarcus. Went for a downhill cycle, they shuttled you to the top of the mountain and let you out. Real relaxing. It was an old railway line that was used to take timber and ore out of the hills. It had the old wooden trestle bridges. They wouldn’t pass for a train now but for bicycles it was safe enough. It’s called the Virgina creeper trail. It’s because the steam train crept up some of the steeper gradient. 

I met a lovely bunch of police officers at the last shelter. They hike every year for their fallen work mates. On the way down the trail after seeing the bear I caught up to two of them. As I got close to them I roared and the last guy jumped and turned and said “you know I’m packing”!!!! Maybe the bear isn’t the most dangerous thing in the trail. We had a good laugh. 

https://www.honorhikefoundation.org/

Wooden trestle bridge. 

The old Virginia Creeper Steam train. 

Clinker from the coal in the steam train. 

AT 42 - 7th May (470.7)

Happy couple

First bear

Another state finished. 

B&B

 EXCITING DAY. 

Three reason, very special wedding and my first bear!!! And moving into Virgina. 

I watched L&R wedding online. I was walking down the mountain to Damascus. I had to stop I was crying so much. It was beautiful. It took some time coming but oh boy I’m glad they finally made the leap of faith into marriage. The service was beautiful. Everyone involved did a great job. I’m sorry to have missed it but I felt part of it. 

I was walking along the path minding my own business and then something ran, I thought it was a deer. Sticks breaking, leaves rustling. Then I walk on and look back where the running stoped and there is a black bear. It’s young, I didn’t know if it was a cub or a one year old. I looked for mummy bear but none appeared. Got the photo and walked on. I scared the crap out of the bear and the bear scared the crap out of me. 

Three states finished and now in Virginia. The slight problem is that Virginia is as long as the other three combined. 

Had a great lunch and found Lady Di’s B&B. She is so sweet. Left laundry out and she does it. Had a shower but only feel half clean. Maybe another shower tomorrow will get me clean. 

Last night we had a bear or bears attack food bags. Boot lips had all his food stolen. He didn’t do the PCT bear hang and the bear cuts the rope tied to the tree and got the food. Also Pony boy had his bag taken, maybe because it was too low. Another bear proof earth sack was totally attacked and squashed. There were tooth holes in the cat hole trowel. My bear hang was safe!!! 

Wedding thoughts. 

I sang my heart out in the woods of Virginia. The first song was so precious. The talk by Mark was so good. The vows reminded me of making the same vows 30+ years ago. I cried a lot through the beautiful wedding of a special couple I’m getting to know better over the years. 

I’ve known the fire and the darkest nights but the goodness of God is bigger. 

God is always faithful, no matter what. 

AT 41 - 6th May (460.5)

Look right

Lovely moon

 Nice easy 16 miles today. Some short ups and down but not like most days. Arrived at camp early so collected wood for another fire to finish the marshmallows. 

I’ll be leaving TN for the last time tomorrow, entering VA. I didn’t mention leaving NC for the last time a few days ago. Three states down, 10 to go. VA is as long as the last three combined so not changing another state for a while. 

Thought for the day

Uncle Nick Grindstaff

He was a hermit that lived on iron mountain. 

His gravestone say “lived alone, suffered alone and died alone”.

That got me thinking of someone else. 

He suffered alone and died alone but not as hermit but for me. 

Isaiah 53:3-5

 “He was despised and rejected by men,

 a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;

 and as one from whom men hide their faces

 he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

 yet we esteemed him stricken,

 smitten by God, and afflicted. 

 

 But he was pierced for our transgressions;

 he was crushed for our iniquities;

 upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

 and with his wounds we are healed.”

Thank you Jesus that you suffered and died alone for me. My debt is paid. Hallelujah. 

AT 40 - 5th May (444.5)

Look hard

 Hot day. Found a sign on a tree this morning saying don’t camp near dam, since there is heightened bear activity!!!!! 

I might still have camped even if I read it?!?!

Ran out of water but spring was not too far. Two groups of 5 plus thru hikers at Iron mountain shelter. I hope they don’t stay up too late. Lighting fire later for marshmallows. 

Equipment spot

Sleeping equipment 

Blowup matrice. A bit squeeky. 

I use a down quilt. 

When cold a sleeping bag liner

When really cold I wear down fluffy jacket. 

I use warm pj’s at the moment and wool socks. Later I’ll reduce this layer.