A Difficult Last Minute Decision

Mom was to leave Saturday morning between 9 and 10. I took Chef out to go potty and walk around like in normally would. I noticed he was scratching at his nose with his paw. Then the scratching where he rubs his nose and whole face to the ground. It did end in a whole back and body twist in the dewy grass. After he finished (and some belly scratches) I looked at his nose and notice it was a tiny bit raised and inflamed on the same nostril that bothering before on the trip. I had taken him to a vet back in Erwin, TN and she gave me a steroid to clear it up. Anyway, this and a few other things were the reasons I sent Chef home with mom. 

I was in tears when they left. Had I really lost my hiking buddy? God and time will tell. Mom is taking him our local vet soon and I will make a final decision then. Sarah is to come hiking with me this coming Saturday. And mom and dad may coming camper camping in Harper's Ferry. Now I am enjoying  my hammock and my reflecting on the first day in the Shanandoahs. 

 

Walked up on 3 cotton tails today. No Bears yet. 

Mom did let me know that Chef was happy to be a lazy dog again.

 

A Well Needed Break

Mom and Grandad picked me up in Daleville on Friday. I had a nice long weekend of showers and food and family. Olive Garden was our first stop. I wanted to eat as much salad and breadsticks as humanly possible. Saturday mom and I went to the nearby outfitter and movie theater. Finding Dori was great. Sunday we went to the AT to do alittle trail magic! Veggies, baked goods, soda and lawn chairs were all a hit. We had hikers come through all day and some stayed for a couple hours. Monday was back on the trail for me. I jumped ahead about 60 miles to keep pace with some trail family. Those miles will be made eventually. And now I'm enjoying the time I have by myself. 

I decided I was going to leave Chef with mom and grandparents for the week. I wanted to test out some new gear and its a nice break for both me and Chef. 

I hiked Monday into Friday and came back my grandparents for a nights rest, another shower, and to resupply. Tomorrow I will start my journey (with Chef) into Shanandoah National Park. Chef seems to be rejuvunated and I'm excited as well for the upcoming miles. Sarah, my sister, will be hiking with me for a short section towards the end of SNP. Then it's on to Harper's Ferry and soon into my home state! Tentative plan is to break the state line well into the second week of July. 

 

Me eating Cheetos after climbing a mountain.

 

I hiked for 10 minutes with this guy on my finger! I think he enjoyed the ride :) 

***for those planning/wanting to hike with me- feel free to text me, I want to try and see everyone, but I do need to keep moving. I will do my best to plan and coordinate. Thanks for all your support and comfort!!!

Hey Bear!

Up until now I hadn't seen a single trail bear (I don't count the 2 I saw on the shuttle drive to Trail Days). Currently I'm at 7 within a 48 hour period. The first 4 consisted of a mamma bear and 3 little cubs. Myself, Chef, and Salamander (behind us maybe 15 yards) were only about a mile or two from the shelter. I hear rustling leaves in front of me, look up and see three black balls quickly climb a tree right by the trail. I immediately grab Chefs harness and walk backwards as fast as I can. I stop about 30 yards from the tree and I could see them at the top. I turn around (my movements told Salamander something was wrong) and tell her about the bears and point to the top of the tree. We went over our options. Hike by the tree and likely get eaten by mamma bear- No. Possibly back track the trail... We had just come down a switch back, going back would put us closer to mamma bear- No. Go around and give the bears space and move on... I knew we were heading down the mountain but didn't know if the trail ran the side of the mountain or if it had another switchback, and the mountain side was covered in rhododendron and mountain laurel bushes- No. We ended up waiting there, sitting on a log for about 15-20 minutes. We talked and played music so mamma bear knew we weren't encroaching on her space. The little bears came down the tree eventually, but we couldn't tell how far they went away from the trail. I throw a rock. Turns out they only went a couple yards and they scurry up another tree. Now another hiker is coming down the trail. We ask her if she can see them and she replies no. She decides to chance it and walk the trail. In my head I say to myself "I'm not saving her if she gets eaten". Well, she makes it and informs us of where the bears are. Long story short, we make it passed them without getting eaten. 

The following day, again only about 2 miles from the shelter, I come across a bear a few yards from the trail. I grab Chefs harness again. This time I say in a calm voice "hey bear, hey bear". The bear looks up at me and does not move. She just stares. Hmm, that's not normal she should be running away. Then I see them. Two tiny cubs at the base of a tree. I back off and show Salamander who wasn't far behind. Luckily, this part of the trail we can see where the trail goes and the terrain is pretty clear. We hike off trail for a little ways giving the bears space and we talk loud as we go. Again, avoid being eaten. 

Sorry, no pictures of the bears. Currently I am over mile marker 700! Hiking into Daleville soon where I will meet up with Mom and Grandparents. I am taking a few well deserved /needed days of rest and eating. Then it's back to the trail. 

 

Dragons Tooth was the latest challenge. After about a 20 mile day over rocky terrain Chef's pads were starting to crack. We took a day off to let them heal. I'm hoping smaller mileage and the upcoming rest days will put him back to 100%. Only time will tell. 

Over 50, 500, and the Highlands

We've been out on the trail for over 50 days, hiked over 500 miles, and went over and through the Grayson Highlands. 

 

 

How did we celebrate??

 

With ponies!!!

 

That's Legs and the pony.

 

And Salamander with the pony.

 

We even got to see baby ponies.

 

500 miles!

 

We are now more than a quarter of the way through the whole trail!