5/09/06 Tuesday: Relax Inn, Atkins, Va. to Chestnut Knob Shelter (23mi)

I was happy to have my earplugs for last nights stay with old Steve...LOL... Grinz no hard feelings there Steve... We were on our way about 0730, up to the restauraunt where we had a nice dinner the night before. After a nice big omlette, we headed out for the trail at about 0900. The morning was pretty uneventfull and by 1115 and 7 miles, Steve and I stopped for a snack in the Crawfish Valley area of the trail... After a 30 min break, we continued our trek north... About 3mi further north, I came across a herd of cattle in the trail, in the woods... Not sure about what I should do next, I decided to push on and crossed my trekking poles in front of me and yelled MMMOOOVVVEEE... Well that got their attention and they soon scattered. A few moments later a heard a voice calling is someone there... LOL... It was skunk and she had taken a wrong turn off the trail and the cattle wouldn't let "move" to let her get back on. Well, I moved those cows too and she soon joined Steve who had just caught up and I and another hiker called Indiana. We all continued North to the Knot Maul Branch Shelter for our late afternoon break and dinner arriving at about 1500. We took about an hour and finally headed for our final stop of the day...the Chestnut Knob Shelter. I arrived at about 2000 while Steve got in closer to 2100. The 2 x-army guys and skunk arrived at about 1900. It was clear upon our arrival but storms were forming and the night would prove cold and stormy.

PICTURES:
1. Caught one of those nasty Virginia cows... This one is faking pacivity...LOL
2. Walking through an easement purchased by the Gvt for this National Scenic Trail.. This easement was between two cattle ranches.
3. Walking through a meadow, not sure if its owned by the Park service or the owner is just letting the trail pass through. Beautiful none the less.
4. Much of these lands are barbed wired in so youmust climb over the fences on these ladders. Lots of ladders around here...
5. Heres a pic of Skunk, taking a break at the Knot Maul Shelter recounting her cow story. No lives were lost on this harrowing ordeal.
6&7 Making it to the top of Chestnut Knob with a pleasant gradual inclined walk and wonderful vistas in every direction.
8. Getting in late and setting up my tent near dusk on the top of Chestnut Knob. Was to be a cold and rainy night.
9. Grabbed a pic of the Chestnut Knob Shelter as I was leaving in the morning. A completely enclosed type, rare on the AT but for this location a necessity. Steve had some snoring competition in there with Minnasota Smith...LOL... Im not sure who won...