Trip Miles: 1042.50
The sun was shining through the trees when we woke up. No rain last night, not much sleep either. I just don't sleep well in shelters.
Amy "Stardust" came into the shelter around 9:30. We've seen her off and on over the course of the hike, but haven't had much of a chance to talk. She's from N.C. and has hiked in and out of several bubbles. We'll probably meet again somewhere along the trail. Also at the shelter were Sassafras, who we see every so often, and a friend of hers who started today with an eleven mile hike. They were the first out with M and N and me shortly after. We left Amy eating breakfast.
We made our way over decent terrain to Fox Gap. There were memorials there dedicated to Gen. Jesse Reno, a confederate flag bearer, and a troop of soldiers from Michigan. We hiked through battlefields, some kept clear, some overgrown by forest, for most of the day. Amazing to think of the thousands who fought and died all around this part of the trail. About two miles further on was Washington Monument State Park. This was the first monument completed to honor George Washington. It was first erected in 1827, but has been restored several times. Cool stonework tower.
We had planned to do more miles, but the threat of severe thunderstorms led us to cut the day short. We are staying at the Pine Knob Shelter after hiking 12.5 miles. A little more rest for my leg can't hurt.
The rain threat came and went so I'm going to tent. We've been lucky with the weather. The storm yesterday was worse ahead of us, knocking down tree limbs and raining in sheets. Tonight it appears to be skirting us again. We had some rain and wind, but nothing terrible. The kids can have the shelter, along with some other hikers we don't know, I'm on the ground. Time to sleep.
Night All
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| Crampton Gap Shelter |
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| Rte 70 walkway |
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| Strange light |
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| Cool old church |
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| Gen. Jesse Reno monument |
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| Washington Monument |
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| Stairway inside the monument |
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