Journal Entries

James River

Crossing James River.

Day 74 - Bryant Ridge Shelter to Petites Gap

14.9 miles

Enjoyed a good chat with Strawberry this morning at the shelter. A woman of similar experience and life calling as my own, a mother and homemaker. It was nice to connect with her.

Today was about climbing. We started the day at approximately 1,200 feet, went up to the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain at 4,100 feet, and down again to about 2,300 feet elevation where we're camping tonight at the Petites Gap Trailhead.

The elevation profile reminded me of being in the Smokies.

Today's weather was downpour, fog and mist.

Met another student group, just before USFS 812 (Parkers Gap Road). This cohort was studying salamanders. Perfect conditions for it, with all the moisture in the air. We enjoyed an interesting conversation with them.

Other than that, the day was uneventful, and I was in a good mood, which is somewhat remarkable given the weather.

We had some good family conversations today, especially with Padawan about her future. She's excited that this hike is starting her own adventurous adulthood, and that was gratifying to hear. We had more talks with Tenacious Bling, trying to get her out of her slump, encouraging her to invest her time on the trail in activities beyond pining for fashion; ideas like photography, creativity, and evening reading. To have things she can look forward to throughout the day.

Hiked through thickets of jewelweed, nettle and salmon petaled columbine this afternoon.

Ate mashed potatoes and salami with vegetables for supper.

The area we traversed today - Thunder Ridge Wilderness, Thunder Hill Shelter, and Thunder Ridge Overlook were aptly named. A thunderstorm hit this evening between 9 and 10 pm. It was the most intense thunderstorm I've experienced, non-stop thunder and lightning that seemed to circle around us, like we were in a vortex. We weren't in an unsafe spot and so at least tonight we could safely stay in our tent. But it got pretty stuffy, all zipped up from the rain. The storm has finally passed now and I can go to sleep.

Day 73 - BRP 95.3 to Bryant Ridge Shelter

15.9 miles

Had an eventful night (thunderstorms) and started hiking around 8am this morning.

Crossed the BRP a couple times today. Had long talks with Tenacious Bling about her hike struggles - lack of fashion, her expectations, and dealing with boredom. Not sure how much "stuck, but it will something she has to work through.

Took a long breakfast break at Bobblets Gap Shelter and met a college Herpetology class at Bearwallow Gap. Our son does herpetology everyday. I had a long chat with a young man teaching at a private school in the fall and it got my Educational philosophy and practice juices flowing and I spent the next hour or so discussing high school curriculum with the family and then about the coming school year and eventually homeschool graduation in our home. This train of thought occupied me for a couple hours.

Did a 500 ft elevation climb up Cove Mountain, was rewarded with some open views at the top. Hiked 750 ft elevation down to Cove Mountain Shelter, passed that, hiked the ridge, and then down another 1,000 ft elevation to Jennings Creek.

Spent an hour or so swimming, washing and eating. Exactly the way a summer backpacking day should be.

Hiked 1,000 ft elevation up to Fork Mountain and down another 750 ft.

Tonight we're camping at Bryant Shelter. Celine and Laurent are sleeping in the shelter and @toesalad, Tenacious Bling and I are camping by the stream, along the AT. The shelter is beautiful, probably the nicest on the whole trail, but I prefer the privacy of tenting.

Thunderstorms have been passing through this evening with intermittent rain. The fireflies are out on the hillside and it's magical beyond belief. And when I look to the shelter the path is also a twinkle of lights. It's amazing and reminds me of the fairy books I read to the kids when they were little.

I miss the kids tonight and with the storm I wonder how they're doing, but at 13 and 15 they're fine in the shelter (with strangers - only on the trail).