Groundhog Near Deep Gap
May 7, 1981 -Pond camp sight to Deep Gap Shelter-
Left campsite at 9:00 a.m. Rain has stopped. Made 15.3 miles to Deep Gap shelter. Had groundhog come right up
to me on trail. When he finally saw me he started to hiss and stood up on back legs. He then walked backwards
three steps and turned around and ran. It was a very rare experience I feel. He weighed about 20 pounds or so.
Also within the same hour I saw four deer. Got to shelter. Two groups of people here. They are camping in tents. I
had ramps for supper that I picked near the camp. Cooked them in butter. Also Macaroni and cheese and tuna. It
got bitter cold during the night. Ice in my water bottles. I was fine in the sleeping bag. While getting ready for walking
I got cold. I no longer had any down vest. I sent it home in Damascus.
Left campsite at 9:00 a.m. Rain has stopped. Made 15.3 miles to Deep Gap shelter. Had groundhog come right up
to me on trail. When he finally saw me he started to hiss and stood up on back legs. He then walked backwards
three steps and turned around and ran. It was a very rare experience I feel. He weighed about 20 pounds or so.
Also within the same hour I saw four deer. Got to shelter. Two groups of people here. They are camping in tents. I
had ramps for supper that I picked near the camp. Cooked them in butter. Also Macaroni and cheese and tuna. It
got bitter cold during the night. Ice in my water bottles. I was fine in the sleeping bag. While getting ready for walking
I got cold. I no longer had any down vest. I sent it home in Damascus.
Big Rocks in the Highlands, Mount Rogers State Park
Ponies in Mt. Rogers
May 9, 1981 - Old Orchard Shelter to Trimpi Shelter-
Got three mice last night. Made 14.3 miles to Trimpi shelter. The nicest shelter yet on the whole trail. There is a
fireplace in the middle and completely stone and closed in top with stones on floor. Nice evening. Stomach hurting
bad. I have gas or pulled muscle. Hope it gets better. Woody Rambo from York, Penn. is here too. I did not sleep well
for I am hurting. I may have pulled a muscle or have a cold in it.
May 10, 1981 -Trimpi Shelter to Mt Rogers visitor center-
Did a miserable 11.7 miles today. Got pleurisy in chest. Hurts to breath and walk. Hope it is better tomorrow. Made it
to Mount Rogers' visitor's center. Going to sleep under porch. This is a nice as any shelter. If no one tells me to move
it will be fine. I'll be gone early in the morning. They are closed on Sunday and there is no one here. There is a
phone here also. I called dad and called back later to talk to mom and wish her happy Mothers Day. The rain has
finally stopped. If I wasn’t hurting so bad in the chest I would go 5.5 more miles to next shelter. I don't need these lax
days but when it is hurting this bad I can not walk.
Got three mice last night. Made 14.3 miles to Trimpi shelter. The nicest shelter yet on the whole trail. There is a
fireplace in the middle and completely stone and closed in top with stones on floor. Nice evening. Stomach hurting
bad. I have gas or pulled muscle. Hope it gets better. Woody Rambo from York, Penn. is here too. I did not sleep well
for I am hurting. I may have pulled a muscle or have a cold in it.
May 10, 1981 -Trimpi Shelter to Mt Rogers visitor center-
Did a miserable 11.7 miles today. Got pleurisy in chest. Hurts to breath and walk. Hope it is better tomorrow. Made it
to Mount Rogers' visitor's center. Going to sleep under porch. This is a nice as any shelter. If no one tells me to move
it will be fine. I'll be gone early in the morning. They are closed on Sunday and there is no one here. There is a
phone here also. I called dad and called back later to talk to mom and wish her happy Mothers Day. The rain has
finally stopped. If I wasn’t hurting so bad in the chest I would go 5.5 more miles to next shelter. I don't need these lax
days but when it is hurting this bad I can not walk.
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