June 9 Mile 659

Again, a rerun day in Virginia. We've been in Virginia for 200 miles now, and it certainly isn't flat. Lots of ups and down. But they have us in an area of ridge and valley, and it seems like this may go on forever. Up the ridge, hike the ridge, down the ridge. At lunch today the rains came and we ate under a forest service info sign, the kind you see at trailheads with a tiny slanted roof to protect the bulletin board. We thru hikers will improvise with anything to keep dry! The rain stopped soon after and we hiked down to a shelter area. It was still a little early and we ran into Tunes and Tootsie Pops there and we decided to hike further down to a creek that had a great camping spot-flat and by water. Cooked our dinner here ( made cornbread) and had a very pleasant dinner with Tunes and Tootsie Pops.
Today we hiked thru fields of ferns, and I mean mountainsides covered in them as far as the eye could see, and they were 2-3 feet tall. It was an incredible scene. A good photographer could take a picture here that would make a great screensaver. Also hiked through thickets of mountain laurel in full bloom. When you come thru these they are so unexpected and the white and pink flowers go on and on. Bad day again for the feet- blisters that won't quit and smushed toes. Ouch!


Sent from my iPhone