Sunshine!

Wow. What a difference a day can make. Today was beautiful. I had an
interesting hike out of Pearisburg this morning. Coming into or out of
towns is always interesting. Usually the trail will end up in
somebody's side or back yard eventually. Today it weaved in and out of
yards, back into the woods (you know, the urban kind...pine forests
covered in poison ivy), up neighborhood streets, over a huge bridge,
beside a highway more like an interstate...it's a jungle out there.
Somebody I have been hiking with for a few days got lost twice today,
before the trail ever made it into the woods.

I saw a huge 5 or 6 foot black rat snake this morning. This fella had
just had some kind of massive lunch. He was hanging out next to the
river. I also saw a toad and some deer. That about wraps up the
wildlife for the day, other than hikers.

I am camped up on a ridge in a meadow area, with a nice view of
sprawling farmland down below. I got a late start this morning and had
a somewhat leisurely 12 something mile hike today with a 2 hour break
at a gorgeous lunch spot. I was taking time today to stop and smell
the flowers and I am glad I did. They smell wonderful.