http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , United States , Virginia , Jefferson National Forest en-us Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:46:58 UTC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:46:58 UTC Sunny againAwoken by a friendly southern voice on the cell phone our next Inn Keeper assuring us a cabin for the night 400 miles away.The Noshville Deli on Broadway provides our bag lunch. It was good to have New York style food not fried.It was not the most interesting drive but the roads and facilities were good and the people friendly. Once past Knoxville the landscape becomes hilly it http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-334405.html I Spent most of the day driving across Virginia Maryland Delaware New Jersey just so I could get my hands on one of those famous Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches. Well........... After eating a world famos GENOS cheesesteak sandwich I was left with the feeling that they wern't all that after all until Todd suggested trying another one fron the neighboring compettion across the street Pat http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-204995.html Pics for June 3rdnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkJune 19th 2007Walking through the Grayson Highlands with beautiful wild horses http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-170831.html Partnership Shelter to the town of Troutdale VA http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-170825.html Pics for May 30thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkJune 17th 2007The Pavillion to Chatfield Shelter http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-170416.html Pics for May 28thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkJune 16th 2007Chestnut Knot to O'Lystery Pavillion http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-169657.html Pics for May 27thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkJune 16th 2007Laurel Creek to Chestnut Knob http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-169655.html Dismal Creek Falls to Brushy Mountain http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-168984.html Sugar Run Gap to Dismal Creek Falls http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-168966.html Lost on the Moores. Rain started at 4AM drumming on the tent fly ever so lightly at the start then growing in volume as time passed. Wind rustled the pines surrounding our nylon home then slowly gained strength until it almost shrieked. Violent vibrations shook the aluminum skeleton and thin skinned house we tried to sleep in. No water came through the nylon but with each gust it seemed like http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-166338.html The night passed without any problems no rain wind or unwelcome visitors. The fellow who had been in the shelter packed up and was gone about 530AM. A second hiker had come in after we went to bed his tent was up near the privy. He wasn't up when CC and I climbed out of the tent. We had everything packed except for the food bags before 730. We had a nice hot breakfast with hot beverages from http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-166328.html Half way to Georgia Four miles after starting today we hit the half way mark. When we hit the Old Orchard Shelter we have now walked further than the NoBos. CC still thinks they are in better condition than us because of the Smoky Mtns but I say miles are miles and we are just about as in shape as we will get. We can stand to loose a few more pounds but as far as walking ability we are real tou http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-166320.html Good conversation was on tap for the morning. Shadow CC and I all roused out of the sack about 730AM then covered topics from religion to chemical warfare. We finally got on the trail at 930. After yesterdays big miles and CC's fall. Man I forgot to put that in my entry I shall regress for a few lines. We had finished in town and were headed for the shelter. While in a darker section of th http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-164475.html Quiet night good sleeping no rain light wind warm with birds singing as we climbed out of the bag to start the day. It was our last day for hot breakfast and it was good. The last store was a poor excuse of a store and they didn't even have oatmeal After breakfast it was up Chestnut Knob for a mile. The first 14 mile was the worst and then it leveled off. This shelter is unique in that it is http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-164468.html Early rise again and on the trail by 815AM. Restful nights sleep. We met the first NoBo about 50' from our camp. Dingo said he left the Jenkins Shelter real early to get ahead of the crowd. Said there were a dozen folks there last night and he wanted to beat them all to town. The trail was supposed to cross VA 610 then crisscross Little Wolf Creek for almost five miles but it has been relocated http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163716.html Pics for May 22ndnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkMay 30th 2007Some very odd looking trees crossing Symms Gap Meadow and assorted trail foliage. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163706.html Pics for May 21stnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkMay 30th 2007A rock in a hard place Ground fire area at Stony Creek Cordaroy Trail and more Trail Magic. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163698.html Hiking up Kelly Knob and White Rock a modern day bridge and a few tall fiddle head ferns. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163695.html Pics for May 19thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkMay 30th 2007Eastern Continental Divide Sinking Creek Mountain trail food and and old abandoned house. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163678.html Pics for May 18thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkMay 30th 2007Audie Murphy Memorial a mini Stonehendge trail flowers and the site of the future Horde invasion. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163676.html Pics for May 17thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkMay 28th 2007En route to Trout Creek Primative Camp Picking up our primative camp the notorious Dragons's Tooth along with various snapshots of the flora around it. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163216.html Pics for May 16thnbspNorth America raquonbspUnited States raquonbspVirginia raquonbspJefferson National Forest By OD and CCs Long WalkMay 28th 2007Lambert Meadow Shelter to Catawba McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs Snackbar Rock some lengthy stairs and the campsite at Catawba. http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-163207.html Happy Birthday to our daughter Joline. The night passed uneventfully. It was a bit cool as I popped my head out of the tent for the first time. I guess the cold settled in the river bottom. We were up by 645AM and on the trail at 830. We took our time with breakfast and packing. The trail designers were kind to us today. We left Dismal Creek Falls and headed for VA606 over a bunch of PUDS b http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-162498.html Short version. I have just spent about an hour doing my daily entry. Due to the way I hold my fingers I deleted the entire thing So I will try to do it again. Even though the tent was at a weird slant and we both ended up scrunched to the low end of the tent sleep was ok. CC wanted me to try boiling the water for breakfast in the tent. This way she could have a warm tent to get ready for t http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-162493.html Not a bad nights sleep. The tent site was almost flat and my foot did not bother me that much so I slept well. Now if we could do something about the birds singing at 530AM we might get to sleep in once in a while. Up at 630AM and packing things up. There was a cold wind blowing and the humidity was high. Swelling in the ankle was minimal and not much discoloration. CC had all her stuff on and http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-161899.html Bears rumors of bears trail magic near hike ending accident and more walking. Today was full of adventure. We took off from our dry camp near Wind Rock and headed down toward Salt Sulphur Turnpike 4100'3900'. We stopped at the Bailey Gap shelter for a short break then back on the trail. About 15 minutes after the rest stop I hit a stone at just the right angle and my left ankle gave w http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-161897.html 35 days walking in total 359.9 miles completed an average of 10.28 miles per day. We have broken into the 10 mile per day average bracket and feeling great about it Got out of the camp at 830AM. A little later than I had wanted but we had a nice hot breakfast with hot beverages afterwards. 1120' was the mornings climb up Kelly Knob and to White Rock 3800'. CC twisted her right knee ye http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-161893.html Waken from a sound sleep again About 1130PM it sounded as if our tent was center court at an NBA game. Headlamps threw a kaleidoscope of ever changing shadows on all sides of the tent. Loud voices barked commands as some huge out of control train wreck of a camping group descended on the shelter and surrounding area. This ruckus continued for an hour and fifteen minutes as they settled in for http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-161890.html Hounds of Baskerville. All snug in our bags early this morning about 3AM. Out of the woods and darkness this pack of loose hounds hit the scent of chow. In one loud voice they sang out and gave chase. Must have been at least eight plus dogs and all had excellent working vocal cords. We were waken with a start as the Baskerville Beasts ran toward us down an unseen trail chasing who knows what. It s http://www.travelblog.org//North-America/United-States/Virginia/Jefferson-National-Forest/blog-161550.html