5/16/06 Tuesday: Sarver Hollow Shelter to Pickle Branch Shelter (16mi)

The Sarver Hollow Shelter was new, having been built in 2001, and expansive with a deck and shared by just the three of us over night... Oh and a family of birds nesting in the rafters too...LOL... I had a great nights sleep and by 0745 I was out and back on the trail following Trenchfoot and leaving Bunny. The day started partly cloudy and stayed that way throughout with temps early in the 40s climbing into the 60 by midday up on the ridge... I stopped at the Niday Shelter at 1000 for a snack and to use the privy and headed out after about 20 minutes since it was still chilly. I crossed VA621 and headed up 1600ft to the Audie Murphy Monument perched atop this unnamed mountain very near the spot where his plane crashed back in 1971. For those who dont remember the name, Mr. Murphy was the most decorated soldier of WWII. I took an hour break at the memorial where the skies brightened and the sun warmed me and dried my clothes. Trenchfoot was just leaving the site as I arrived and Bunny stopped by for a visit about 30min after I got there. I moved on to the Pickle Branch Shelter, and wouldnt you know it was another .3miles off the trail. Nothing like adding these half mile trips to the end of your day...;) I arrived at the shelter about 1530 and had dinner. It was getting chilly as the sun set so I got into my bag by 1800 and after jotting down some notes about the days events I nodded off alone in the peaceful night. At 2000 I awoke as Yoshi arrived for the night. We chatted a bit, He's from Florida and fell behind his group when his girlfriend came to visit him a few days back. He had been doing some big days trying to catch back up with today being a 27miler for him...We were both out by 0930.

PICTURES:
1. An lovely early morning pic from the deck of Sarver Hollow Shelter... A bit overcast but will prove to be a great hiking day...
2. Found this sign hanging on a tree... interesting bit of trivia...
3. I passed upon another lovely flowering shrub. I cant get enough of these spring blooms... I long to see my garden back home at times...
4. This bright red bird with an interesting call perched itself here just long enough for me to take a pic... I love this camera...
5. Audie Murphy's memorial... A great man from Texas recognized by a local branch of the Vets of Foreign Wars. What a nice tribute...
6. The Rhododendrums are blooming here in Virginia...Lovely