May 12, 2002
17.5 miles hiked today, 9-5:45

I guess I did 17.5 miles today, but id didn't seem like quite that much. The climbs here are mercifully short. I did stumble over many a rock today, bruising myself and abrading my shin at one point, but I will have no problems getting into Duncannon tomorrow afternoon. Can one drink in PA on Sunday?

The registers are claiming bear sightings left and right. Oh. And rattlesnakes, but I haven't seen either. I did run into Lightfoot who said that he'd just seen a mama bear with three cubs, and that the cubs may still be up the trees. He was quite excited about it. I know I didn't want to find myself between a mother bear and her cubs, but since he'd had a good experience, he didn't seem to see any danger.

There have already been mouse sightings in this shelter, and a bird is nesting in here. I don't think the bird will be any trouble, based on my experiences with the bird at home. The dog is also now between me and the mice, which might be worth something.

I'm here with Tiger Paw and Blue Water and BW's new dog Nakita. She's a great dog, and he got very lucky on a stray, IMHO. There are more coincidences with these two as I met both of them in and around Pearisburg also. I even met Tiger Paw's wife and sister while lunching at Laurel Creek Shelter.