Day #61 - If a Tree Falls in the Woods, It Does Make a Sound

Miles: 17.9 to a stealth site at Sinking Creek
May 21

It's already 9:00 p.m.! Today was rocky in many places. Hiking on rocks for hours on end is simply exhausting, especially for my ankles. Last year's SOBOs compared it to Pennsylvania in the shelter register. Pennsylvania is known for its rocks. It has even earned the name "Rocksylvania" in thru-hiking circles. We had several nice views today including Wing Rock and Kelly Knob. There were beautiful pasture views at the end of the day.

As we hiked this morning, we heard a huge crash. We all stopped and looked at each other trying to decipher what the sound was. It soon became clear that a large tree had fallen not far from us. The trees are constantly creeking along the trail as the wind moves them around. I always wonder how many hikers have been hit. I'm glad it wasn't us today!

We ran into Sherpa at War Spur Shelter when we stopped for lunch. He told us Twist and True Story got ahead of us when we stopped for Trail Days. Doh! He also said Simba, Muffin Man, and Stealth are hiking together. Maybe they'll catch us soon!

I saw a turkey, snake, toad, and lizard today. Lots of wildlife! There were some brutal uphills today including an old rocky fire tower road. It felt like that one just went straight up. And up. And up. We conquered it though! It seemed like the trail maintainers were too lazy to make switchbacks so they just blazed the trail up the existing road. Sigh....

Bluebird loves movies and insisted that I watch a clip from "The Sweetest Thing." She was willing to sacrifice her phone's battery life to show me. It was a song about penises. We were on a rock outcropping at a great view when she handed me her phone. Unfortunately, as soon as the chorus started Sherpa joined us at the view. There is no way to turn the volume down on Bluebird's phone, so Sherpa had the pleasure of listening to the penis song. Luckily, he's a cool guy and didn't bat an eye. The timing was hilarious.

P.S. Hike Naked Day (the summer solstice) is one month from today!

Best Thing: Finding out True Story and Twist are close!
Looking Forward To: Visiting the Keffer Oak, the second largest tree on the AT, tomorrow.