We woke up with such a heavy dew that it penetrated the tent fly - or maybe the dew condensed inside? At any rate, drops of water were falling on us. Chilly. It was a magnificent morning.
After packing up we we ascended Grassy Ridge hiking through a 15' tunnel of vibrant rhododendron on a deeply rutted path. The ground is so full of organic matter that the trails wear down with use. Water furthers the process. Grassy Ridge's meadows are sparkling with wildflowers in the grass. After about two hours we returned to the AT and descended through a forest for several miles. At the Stan Murray Shelter we met a couple, El and Bill, who are from Banner Elk, where my great Aunt Alla lived. I spent many summers there with her and in her lovely home is where she taught me to weave. El said that some of the people I knew when I was a child are still in Banner Elk! How crazy to connect in a gap so far from civilization!
El and Bill are retired and hike 3-4 times a week! But we were surprised by the number of single hikers we encountered. I doubt there is a constituency at the city jail who hike. I was thinking about that assuming that without summer camp or college near mountains, exposure and access would be limited. Urban kids have minimal opportunity to discover and come to love the natural world. I know know a woman who takes less advantaged children camping - a lot. What a lot of trouble, organizing the food, the water purifier tablets, the route and gear. Such a gift to share with these girls.
The woods are full of a brave, industrious little bird with a grey and white striped tail and a white beak - a junko. I've also heard owls and hawks and seen many birds swoop through the woods and meadows.
We are camping tonight on Little Hump mountain in the middle of a cluster of boulders. All around is the grass bald with occasional trees only. We are so tired we won't even see the sunset tonight. Our packs are too heavy. And the first full day is always the hardest.
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