Thu, May 19, 2016 It was going to be a 174-picture day which would start out adding to the wettest-May record in Virginia and turn sunny and glorious by nightfall. But first: This was James River day! On the way to the river which I didn’t know was coming, I was taken with pellets of […]

Wed, May 18, 2016 Another day to contribute to the rainiest May in Virginia’s history.  And why didn’t it bother me?  Am I uniquely suited to Mother Nature’s menu being, in flesh and blood, a mere morsel at her banquet table?  Is the rain just a “sauce” for the meal?  I don’t know – but, […]

Tue, May 17, 2016 This is going to be an interesting day.  Not only is the ground wet but my appetite is whet. It had rained really hard at night and I felt for the elderly couple who, without much ado, packed up their gear and tent, came over to the shelter to say hello […]

Mon, May 16, 2016 Some privies are more interesting than others.  A body could do a study of them on the AT.  The type: composting or not; use of duff (the partially decomposed layer of leaves) or not; use of wood chips or not.  Not to mention cleanliness, availability of TP (I kept napkins or […]

Sun, May 15, 2016 Breakfast was continental at a large room past the front desk.  I helped myself to some rubbery eggs, buns, juice and coffee.  Cereal, too. Part way through my breakfast, a heavily bearded fellow came over to join me.  It was Professor!  He seemed very nice and quite a bit different than […]

Sat, May 14, 2016 What a day this would be! It began at 6:10 a.m. with SUNRISE! She’d gone to bed and now was back.  The view couldn’t have been better for either time.  Nor the weather! Perhaps now is the time to observe that, from the perspective of the jutting rock face, the sun […]

Fri, May 13, 2016 Friday the 13th would be a magnificent day with one mishap that could have been very sad indeed.  My red-truck friend took me back to the trail and we were on our way.  It was overcast and the woods were wet.  A great hiking day which did get brighter as we […]

Thu, May 12, 2016 We were approaching Trail Days, the weekend when Damascus, Virginia hosts Appalachian Trail hikers of all kinds.  The town is abuzz with swarms of hikers, parades, music, performances, outfitters and lots and lots of food.  Joe, the owner of Four Pines Hostel is retired from the railroad and I’m told enjoys […]

Wed, May 11, 2016 It was a wet morning and the tent was covered with damp spring catkins dropping from oak trees. There was a bench along the elevated dirt road on the ridge where I camped.  I had sat there the night before and left the egg on the bench for the next hiker […]

Tue, May 10, 2016 The day under Keefer Oak dawned damp and dull.  I said “dull” only for the alliteration.  Dull isn’t dull when nature is your stage and you’re grateful to have a stage to strut out and a tale to tell.  She’s the movable platform.  You’re the actor – and whose an actor […]