Wild Ponies

While in Damascus, VA we enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of Crazy Larry. Easily one of the best hostel experiences yet. I don't think our dirty clothes have ever smelled so good after being cleaned and a 50¢ thrift store puzzle occupied our time for most of the afternoon. 

Turned out a hiker we had been following for weeks was still in town due to an ankle injury so it was great getting to hang out and swap stories with another hiker. 

We left Damascus in more rain. After taking a detour around a broken bridge that put us right on the Virginia Creeper Trail (a super flat and easy biking trail), we realized the AT and Creeper Trail would cross again just a couple miles south of the shelter we were intending to stay at. Due to the rain the trail had become much more slippery than usual and our knees were aching after just a few miles. So we decided we'd give our knees a break for the day and stayed on the Vieginia Creeper Trail for most of the afternoon. Whether the Creeper Trail was actually a lot shorter or just that much easier, I don't know, but it shaved at least 2 hours off our time for the day. 

The next day the plan was to hike more than 20 miles. About mid day we took a snack break and realized we had been going much slower than we thought. All the streams in the area going over the trail were clogged with leaves and due to all the rain the day before they were overflowing and making a mess of the trail. So we decided instead of pushing hard to make the 20 miles we'd much rather spend the time fixing the streams (playing in them) and enjoying the beautiful weather. 

When we reached the top of Mt. Rogers and went around the corner to the shelter we were surprised by these guys.

Turns out there are a couple of herds of wild ponies hanging out in the Grayson Highlands National Park. 

That night while trying to cook dinner these curious ponies decided to join us for a while.

 

The one with the white mane went so far as to try to eat our tortillas right off the picnic table. So that night was more of a pony hang than a bear hang. 

The next two days the weather was beautiful, with no more than a sprinkling of rain a couple times. Monday we were thrilled that the temperature actually got warm enough to wear just shorts and t-shirts for the second time on the trip! 

We arrived in Atkins, VA last night after a 21 mile day. Our feet continue to rebel at the long days and boy were we ready for a hot shower. Not much else going on in this town so we'll do a quick resupply and get back out on the trail today.