Day 47 – mile 671 to near Pickle Branch Shelter

Early today we traversed through some really idyllic farmland.

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Rolling pastures

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Fresh cut field with trail crossing it

Really neat farmland scenery. Shortly after, we passed by the approximately 300 year old Keffer Oak.

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I think it’s so super cool that a tree like this survived so much. Being around giant old trees like this give me the chills. (There is supposedly one bigger along the AT in New York.)
We climbed a few pretty big mountains today and had a few nice views.

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Vista from Sinking Creek Mountain

Later we ascended Brush Mountain, which has a monument to WWII hero Audie Murphy.

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Monument and surrounding cairn with lots of WWII keepsakes and such on it

Also some cool stuff. We camped after about 21 miles near the shelter junction.

Tomorrow looks to be an awesome day. We hit arguably the single most famous view on the AT, McAfee Knob. I am stoked.

Vital stats :
Mood – excited
Physical state – normal
Smell – weird old man eating garbage
Song stuck in my head – Entire 2 albums Afterman Ascension and Afterman Descension by Coheed and Cambria (yea I totally nerd prog rocked these albums today back to back since they are a giant concept album. I know, super dorky, but when else will I get to listen to them back to back? Lots of air guitar today.)

4 thoughts on “Day 47 – mile 671 to near Pickle Branch Shelter

  1. Mom - Tapey

    Wow! Great photos! Glad you finally got a connection…we were watching and waiting for a post. Did you ask the turtle if he/she knew Matt or Mick? 🙂 So glad to hear about the cool trail magic. You are making amazing progress! So proud! Take care, be safe and be healthy! Sending airy, positive thoughts, prayers and lots and lots of love (in addition to a package).

    Reply
  2. sauly

    those big ole oak trees would burn very well for me lol you do know that i have those awsome albums on cassette i will have to let you borrow them sometime cool pics and bummer about all those rocks

    Reply
  3. Heiser folks

    Pics good enough to grace postcards. Love VA. Tree was magnificent. Oaks have some special vibes. Great work hiking the hike. Stay well and going through brush at least 6 feet behind lead hiker. Pray the eye is on the mend. What did those Boy Scouts teach you? Enjoying your hike albeit vicariously . Pat says bow wow. Gracie is teaching Pat to deep bark instead of yap. Love to you both. Very proud of you both!

    Reply
  4. Susan

    Continuing to love the stories of your progress and the incredible photographs.

    In determining number of people to prepare food for in June, we’re counting you as six people — how many tacos can you eat in thirty minutes?

    Love to you both!

    xxxxxxxxxoooooooo

    Reply

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