McAffee Knob and Tinker Cliffs - May 21

We had the best weather of the week when it counted - McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs are highlights of the Appalachian Trail. We had hot sunny weather and great views. We took our time going through this section. The next day, we headed into Daleville, VA, to resupply, shower and of course do laundry.
McAfee Knob was crowded with hikers, as it was an easy trail to the overview, and a nice Saturday as well. But we got some good shots despite the crowds. It was a 5 mile hike from there to Tinker clifffs, which meant there were far fewer people there, mainly thru-hikers.

 The famous cliff overhang at McAfee Kob - 3,719 ft

A lot of people (and dogs) made the easy 3.7 mile trek to McAfee knob

 Our lunch spot at McAfee Knob

McAfee Knob

 Looking down the valley from McAfee Knob

 Happy for a great view and seeing the sun again

These two tortises were alongside the trail. One had its head pulled in, the other appeared to be fighting with it and trying to bite its shell.

 Tinker cliffs. You can look back along the ridgeline to McAfee Knob, 5 miles away.

 No crowds here!

View from Tinker cliffs

 Campsite overlooking the valley, heading into Daleville, VA

 This was our view making dinner. One of our best campsites ever!

We could look down at farmlands and even see cows grazing in fields- very picturesque.

 Watching the sun set over the valley

This was a photogenic spot, after a week of rain and fog

Overview of Cains Cove resevoir

 Cains Cove resevoir, 7 miles outside of Daleville

Mountain Laurel blooms along the trail

Mountain Laurel in full bloom

AT miles 646 to 720 - Daleville,VA

It was a wet, cold and rainy week after leaving Pearisburg. Ironically, it got colder just after we mailed home our hats, gloves, and cold weather gear. It's really hard to take breaks or make dinner when it's wet outside. Also, we would get cold as soon as we stopped moving.
But it did start to clear again by the end of the week.

Happy hikers at Dairy Queen, Pearisburg VA

 Another wet, misty day on the trail

No view at the overview, but we tried anyway

 Crossing a wet field of grass and climbing yet another stile

This field was actually a mud swamp. Our boots never dry on these days.

The Keefer Oak. This tree is estimated to be over 300 years old - older than our country!

 The mountain laurel are starting to bloom along the trail.



Thru-hikers Amanda, Jesse,Caped Crusader, Buckeye and Y-Knot. They gave us some trail bars and a Snickers to tide us over to our next resupply store. Many thanks!

Friday, May 20 - finally, the we get a break in the weather

 View from the Dragons tail - a huge rock monolith. This rock was upthrust along a ridgeline, with steep drop-offs on either side.

The picture doesn't capture the steep dropoff - don't slip here.

On top of the Dragons Tooth rock

 Our campsite along a stream, after resupplying at Newport grocery.

A beautiful Luna moth

 We came through an insanely beautiful rhododendron forest, coming down from Dragons tail ridge

The forest was full of blooming rhododendrons.

Pearisburg, VA May 14-16

 An enclosed stone shelter on a knob. This is atypical, generally the shelters are wooden and open on one side.

 The sign reads: 'u r beautiful', with a mirror underneath. Of course, we r not beautiful: we are scruffy, dirty, worn and weatherbeaten. 500 miles on the trail takes a toll on the body.

Modeling the packa, our raingear. It covers both the hiker and the backpack in one garment. It has the advantage of not getting rain down your back, but you can't take off the backpack without taking off the whole thing. I don't like it.

All the rain has made the trails wet muddy and messy. The streams are getting harder to cross. 

A brief break of sun for an overview of the valley. Half an hour later it was raining again.

Salamander, type unknown

Heading in to Pearisburg

Trail scenes - Atkins to Bland, VA May 14

We've had some rainy days recently, which makes for damp gear and clothing. We've been hiking about 20 miles most days.
An average sized male with a 40 pound pack burns over 5,000 calories per day. It's hard to eat that much, which is why most hikers lose weight. Plus, the more food you carry, the more wiehgt you have, the more calories you burn...it's a catch 22.

 The AT crosses through a cow pasture, complete with cows and cow patties

 The cows are unpreturbed by our passing

 The Partnership shelter. There was a visitor center nearby that let hikers call and have pizza deliverd. No normal thru-hiker passes up that opportunity. It's a win-win for hikers and the pizza place.

 Stopping for a re-supply in Atkins, VA. This was an Exxon mart, which did not have great food. It's really hard to eat a healthy diet on the trail.

Rhododendrons starting to bloom

 Swallowtails. You figure it out!

 Crossing a stile into a cow field. We crossed about 20 of these in one day, since the AT was running through private farmland. It gets very tiring climbing over these with a pack and poles.

 The trail breifly follows along a river

Mountain laurel are starting to bloom