Blue Ridge Parkway and overlooks

I took my time getting ready in the morning, hitting the trail at 8:30. I could tell it was going to be another hot day. It was cool and comfortable hiking on the shaded side of the mountain; hot and sticky on the sunny side. I met "Wrong Way" on the trail - a forest service volunteer / hiker that was out planting trees. An interesting, informative fellow, he had a pack full of water and tree seedlings. I had the thought I was meeting the "Johnny Appleseed" of the AT. God bless him.

The trail closely (too closely, thank you) parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) for this whole section. Having only a little over 7 miles to hike, I really took my time on this hot day. Relaxing at one of the many overlooks and trail crossings along the BRP I met up with 6 guys that called themselves "the Old Men of the Cloth", though none were ministers. They were a group of spunky senior hikers out for a circuit hike, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Blue Ridge Parkway with Peaks of Otter - Sharp Top Mt, center. Note haze, from which the "Blue Ridge" gets its name.

It was just about noon when I reached the shelter. I thought about pushing on, but decided against it. I'd just wind up waiting at my pickup point, anyway. Instead, I relaxed, laid in the sun again, and waited for some other hikers to come by.

Late afternoon they started to drift in. There was Mr. Pat, Spur, a couple from Vermont, Jamie Dolan and his wife, and Charlie. They were a fun group with many interesting and lively conversations. We turned in early and got a good night sleep.