Today felt like summer! With the notable exception of the missing ice cream truck, we had everything else: sun, bugs, rivers, and finally the first rhododendrons in bloom! It’s 9pm right now, my silk lined sleeping bag is too warm to sleep in and I am still waiting for my snow cone! Mmmm…snowcones……

I hiked alone again for most of the day. Condor, Wildcat and El Blanco are sharing the shelter with me again (shared lunch and breaks as well.) We’ve got a nice fire keeping the bugs away, too. I taught El Blanco to play mancala, then he let me win 3 games. Nice guy – just graduated from UCSD Med School last week. He’s headed for a residency in orthopedic surgery.

I have been walking through rhododendron groves since the first day of the hike. Seeing them bloom was just wonderful. I hope Shenandoah will be flowering next week as I walk through!

The foot bridge over the James River was really cool. It was at least 100 yards long.

Ive have been hiking for about 3 weeks without any physical problems; my tendonitis and shin splints are now gone. I’ve had only two blisters the entire trail. My feet hurt especially in the morning and after hiking 15+ miles, though. When I get up after staying still for than 5 minutes. I do the “thru-hiker shuffle” having stiffened up very quickly.

20 miles before my pick up Saturday morning. Life is good!