“My Journey Is My Destination...” Day 126

Day 126 21.7 miles Chestnut Knob Shelter

I got to the trail about 10:30. My dad walked with me for a while, then gave me another heart felt goodbye. As he hugged me I tried to remember it and knew I would miss it when he was gone.

My shin splint and blister are better. Amy, the masseuse, worked on it this weekend. It is amazingly gone. I have new shoes. No excuse not to hike. My head is filled with my great weekend, so the miles went by quickly. Most of the leaves have fallen leaving a sea of yellow. It threatened rain all day, but never did. I hiked up to 4,500 feet, higher than I’ve been for a long time. I stayed at Chestnut Knob Shelter. It's an old Fire Warden’s cabin overlooking Burkes Garden. The garden is the original site Vanderbilt had chosen for “Biltmore." The wind blew hard. I’m lucky this shelter has four sides. I am lucky in all ways. I love my life!

Day 127 20.2 miles Davis Path Shelter

Today I hike for Kendra McPherson (sister-in-law). I know right now her life is so busy with the new baby. Every day is brand new for her, I can relate.

Wow, it rained all day. I haven’t hiked in rain since Bear Mtn., NY where 'Snacktime' left me. I can’t say I’ve missed it. It was a steady rain all day. I stopped at a shelter for lunch. I had only walked nine miles. I had a hard time getting started again. It would be easy to be a “fair weather hiker," but not today. I walked across many farm fields and once in the woods the rain was deafening with all of the newly fallen leaves. The temp dropped in the afternoon. I put on another shirt and hoped for more climbs.

I’ve seen no one in the past two days. I got to Davis Path Shelter and immediately changed into dry clothes. I now have no pillow, I’m wearing it. The rain beat the tin roof all night. I am anxious to get to TN, I don’t like that feeling. I usually have no plan past today. I guess that is just the way it is walking toward home.

Day 128 14.3 miles Partnership Shelter

It rained all night and all day. It’s neat to see the creeks and streams come back to life. I hated putting on my wet clothes this morning. I could have laid around all day. I stopped at a store at exit 54, Grose Close, VA. Seeing signs for Bristol felt good. I hiked on and stopped at an old farmstead that was part of the Settler’s Museum. It was totally furnished with period furniture and décor. I re-dressed a new blister on my heel and curled up on a couch with a quilt and took a nap. It was a good break from the rain.

I arrived at the road to Sugar Grove, VA, hitched a ride down the mountain. I road in the back of a truck, the rain stung and the air was cold at 55 mph. I ate at Sugar Grove diner, voted #1 in Smyth county for 4 years for country cookin.' I caught a few hard looks from the hunters. I just nodded at them. They were out of rooms for the night. I hitched another ride back up to the shelter.

Day 129 24.7 miles Old Orchard Shelter

Today I hike for Robert McPherson (brother-in-law-). I can imagine Robert going through his regular day, just wanting to get home to his new baby boy, Cade. It must be exciting for him. I’ve always liked Robert, I’m proud to know him.

All I wanted to do all day is get out of these wet shoes. It rained enough today to make me cold. Today, I dropped under 500 miles to go. Wow, that seems small. I was in VT for my first 500 miles. I’m already planning my days for TN. I’m excited about it.

I wish I could audibly play the thoughts that go on in my head for people to hear how random everything is. I camped at the shelter and let mice run all over me through the night.

Day 130 23.2 miles Lost Mountain Shelter

Today I hike for Jonathan Crowe, my cousin from Boston. It was really good to see him when I walked through MA. He really made me feel welcomed. It was good to gain him as a friend.

Today started out dreary and dark on Pine Mtn. I was in the clouds. It was like something from a movie. I heard some more beards I recognized from ME. By the time I got to the edge of the Grayson Highlands the skies had cleared and it was beautiful. All of my significant summit days have been clear. Thanks to all for the positive thought and prayer. I saw around 90 people today, which was daunting after only seeing a few in the past few days.

My feet are starting to fall apart from all the rain in the past few days. I hiked across the highlands. I saw the first place I had stayed in a tent by myself. It was Wilburn Ridge. That day was beautiful and then the wind blew 70 mph at night. I was 8 years- old and scared.

I hiked up to Buzzard Rock. I could see the Grandfather, Sugar, Hump, and Roan mountains from there. Seeing those mountains sent chills through my body. It was home! It was great to get out of the rain and the green tunnel for a while, up to the balds of VA. I loved it all day. more>>

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