Wind Rock (4100'el) vista, Big black snake, Potts Mt. (4128'el), White Rocks, Salt Pond Mt. (4054'el), Lone Pine Peak (4054'el), Red Roof Farmhouse VA Rt 42 (nice people)

It was a frosty, cold morning at 28 degrees. I was one full day ahead of schedule and starting to think about getting home. This made me confident that I would get home without using any of my reserve days. The weather forecasts called for more of the same - cool nights, summer-like days with temperatures in the 70's and 80's and no rain. It did not look like I'd have to take any zero days because of the weather. Nonetheless, I wanted to get further ahead so I could relax my pace in the last few days of my journey.

After a climb of a couple of hundred feet up from the shelter, I had a flat ridge to walk, 7 miles at 3700-4128 feet over Potts Mt. and Wind Rock (4128' el) where I took a series of panoramic pictures of the fantastic view, including Peters Mt. ridge I had just come over. I met Caboose and Mailman, a cute couple that planned to get married after their hike. They were enjoying themselves and I told them not to miss the views from Wind Rock.

White Rocks overlook with Salt Pond Mt. - the trail ahead- left of center.

Pushing on, I passed Lone Pine Peak at 4054' and Salt Pond Mt. before starting an 1800 foot descent into John's Creek Valley. I saw a huge black snake sunning himself across the trail just after Lone Pine Peak. As soon as I reached bottom at John's Creek, I had a 1500 foot climb up John's Creek Mt., a short ridge of 1.5 miles at 3750', then a sharp descent to Laurel Creek shelter. I decided to push beyond the shelter another 2 or 3 miles and camp in the valley since it promised to be such a nice night.

Black snake sunning himself on the AT.

As I hiked down the former pastureland toward the VA route 42 valley, I came to a stile with a small sign - hikers supplies and refreshments at the farmhouse with the red roof. A boy rode up on a bicycle and advised me of cold soda and food - just what every hot and hungry hiker wants to hear! I went to the farmhouse and there was a box of all sorts of canned food and a cooler full of soda and a coffee can of money with a small price list. It was the honor system, evidently. I slugged down a Sprite - icy cold and soooooh good I had another. Then I grabbed a can of peaches and a can of tuna and put my money in the can. The lady of the house and her daughter came out and engaged me in conversation while I enjoyed my second soda. I bought a third can for tonight's camp. She let me in the house to use the phone - I called home and all was OK - and filled my water bottle. They were such nice, friendly people. I wished I could have stayed longer - the smell of her dinner cooking was making my mouth water.

I had to hustle, though. It was getting dark and I had to find a place to camp. I packed up and headed over the hill. Down the other side of the hill at the base of Sinking Creek Mt, was a small creek bearing that name and a road crossing. I set up my tent behind some pines next to the stream and the trail, enjoyed my tuna and soda, hung my gear, washed and brushed my teeth and went to bed. It was very peaceful I was immediately lulled to sleep to the relaxing sound of running water.