day 34 - 04/13

another chilly morning around 30deg, so not nearly as bad as yesterday. i haven't mentioned that aside from wednesday the 11th, when it did actually flurry for a while, and aside from the nights being cold, the weather has been unbelievable. almost every day since i left damascus on the 6th has been clear and sunny all day with almost no clouds. just amazing. the hike today was a little rough. i am not sure why, but i am sore. i am thinking it is the night hiking i did the past three nights. when you night hike it is oh so enjoyable because it is so completely silent and still and the focus it takes to be sure-footed is so very meditative and relaxing. the downside, however, is that when you lose focus and are not sure-footed you can end up jarring your legs fairly badly by tripping or jamming into rocks and roots. i did my fair share of tripping and jamming over the past three nights, hence the soreness. hiking at night also affords me the opportunity to face my fears. every little noise seems exaggerated and huge in the total silence. it could just be a squirrel but it sounds so much larger . . . even though it has quickly become one of my favorite things to do, i think i will lay off the night hiking at least until my soreness goes away. i saw a bear today. at least i think i did. it looked to be a yearling cuz it was lanky, but the coat was a milk chocolate brown and i have always thought black bears were born with a black coat? maybe it was a sasquatch that runs on all four legs? lol. oh, and i have seen at least 50 deer since entering va. it is unbelievable. i think they stay close to the appalachian trail cuz they know us hikers are safe and that it is a no hunting zone. 25.2mi from rice field to war spur shelter. 659.2mi total.