Day 59 - 4/29

Daily mileage: 20.8
Total trail mileage: 751.1
Starting location: Wilson Creek Shelter
Ending location: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Weather: clear and sunny all day, 46 degrees in the morning, 55-77
degrees during the day

I am at
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.530134,+-79.585548

Today marked the first day of the Blue Ridge Parkway section. The
trail runs parallel to the road for a while and crosses it many many
times. Today alone it crossed the parkway six times. At least now
isn't peak tourist season so the scenic overlooks aren't mobbed and I
don't hear a million cars whizzing by.

It is nice to see everything green. But, the leaves block some of the
views and now that spring is really here, the bugs are starting to get
annoying. I know it will get worse though. I need to tape a fly
swatter to my trekking pole to more effectively deal with them.

The weather this morning was like yesterday - almost perfect hiking
weather. Cool but not cold and sunny. But then it got rather warm in
the afternoon. It cooled off a little in the late afternoon though.
Another positive about the leaves is that they are providing shade
with the warmer weather.

The shelter tonight is really nice. It is huge! There is a patio and
an upstairs. There are even windows, which is highly unusual. Other
than not having a shower, it is nicer than the Fontana Hilton and the
Partnership shelter. I am here with Shlep, 3 of the guys from last
night (Naptime and I can't remember the other guys' names), and a
section hiker (?). I am even sleeping in the shelter which I haven't
done for a while.