OmPi's Adventures

I left camp fairly early. As a whole my experience at muskrat was just average, so I didn't feel a lot of sentiment about leaving. I wasn't just a bit up the trail that it warmmed up and so I took off my jacket but left on my pant baselayer. Note to self just take all cold weather items off before leaving camp and get to hiking asap in order to warm up.

Jouls caught up with me, she had stayed at the border. Averaging about 20 miles a day, that lady can hike. We had a number of good conversations and hiked along at a steady pace. As we were discussing Trail Magic a gentleman named Luke caught up and hiked with us for a bit. Nice guy around my age from upstate New York.

The day unfolded without a lot of excitement. There was one section where it felt like I was hikeing into a shire. Then I crossed Coleman gap, which reminded me that my cousin Coleman will be coming to hike with me with me within the next month. As midday approached I found myself on top of Standing Indian Mountain so I took a blue blaze trail and found a magical little grassy bald at the top that overlooked a beautiful mountain range. I took a lunch, did some yoga and meditated. It was pretty magical just sitting there hearing the flies, bee's, birds and watching the butterflies. The gentle buzz of nature just set me at peace with the world.

Coming off the mountain I found a bear sanctuary sign, but what interested me was that the tree was consuming it. If this is what the trees do I'd hate to consider what is possible by the bears. Just before entering camp I came across a beautiful stream and just sat there enjoying the flowing water for a bit. I tried to get a recording of the sound but haven't quite nailed that down yet so a photo will have to do.

The day ended like many others with setting up camp and doing camp chores before settling in around a fire for some community. I met Kid and Don who were hiking from Amacolola. Both devout Christian's and Kid had taken a semester off to hike the trail as a form of a mission trip. Nice guys and enjoyable fire conversation.

As I settled into my camp I talked with my Partner and we managed to arrange his first visit which will be over trail days. This is a huge hiker festival in Damascus, VA. I'm really looking forward to seeing him, as the distance has got to be the hardest part for me out here. It is now well past hiker modnight. Tomorrow is a hard day so I must rest. Much love to all.

OmPi ( ॐ π )