May 8...no rain, no pain, no Maine

That is a saying out here. Rained on our way out of Damascus yesterday. Poured today. I stepped on a log and went down quickly. I was so thankful when I was not hurt. As I told Mark how thankful I was, I went down again into a mud puddle. Again, not hurt but wondering about my walking skills. We had planned on a 19 mile day, but 14 at 3:00 was going to have to do.

We are at Thomas Knob Shelter. This is the shelter we shared with Jan and Cory where a man came up with a large ham and bottle of wine. I was hopeful, but he didn't show up.

What did show up was a wild pony licking people's legs. Also, about 19 people wanting to stay in the shelter who we had to turn away Tonight is our first night to stay in a shelter. No mood to set up a tent in the rain. We are on Mount Rogers, highest elevation in Virginia. Seems like high elevation often equals unfavorable weather.

Yesterday, a sweet little dog followed us for five miles. Laid next to our tent until I saw someone going the other way and got the dog to follow them. Relieved, we went to bed only to find her by our tent in the morning. She followed us for a few more miles. Mark kept shooing her away. Finally, she left. I was glad but felt sorry for her.

Update on Slowfoot: spent five days in Erwin with a sprained ankle. Was making flight arrangements to go back home to Germany. On day six, he felt some relief and is back on the trail. He is right next to me in the shelter and frustrated by the condition of the trail. He has hiked a 27 mile day since his recovery.

I took a picture of the rocks where Five Star got his trail name. Many years ago, Bill and Rosanna huddled into these rocks on a day like today. They had rain gear on and they were trying to take a break and eat some simple lunch. This was there first time on the AT. Bill said, "I can afford a five star hotel, what am I doing here?" and that was the first of many AT hikes for Five Star and Scooter. We are thinking of all our CCC Hikers as we hike this area again!!!

The boots hanging in the tree is not an unusual sight out here. Another one throws in the towel or is finishing the hike in sandals.