Tye River Suspension Bridge
J: Came down off the Priest this morning and into Tyro for the mail drop. Bad news from my tenants - the house will need a termite treatment of over $800. Absentee landlord. Called mom - she seemed a bit down. Called the dudes - the 4runner is back from its adventure with Fox. Dan wants to borrow it for a date.
Spent over two hours at the P.O. / Grocery. Picked up some extra supplies. Read the paper on the front stoop. A local woman, Deb, was intrigued by the thru hike idea. Owns a home near the trail. Said she'd be out all morning, but if I wanted a hot shower, just to let myself in. So many cool people along the trail! I took her up on the offer - it had been over 100 miles since the last hot water.
Ran into Shirt and a friend of his from Richmond who joined him for a section. The guy had what must have been a 12 pound first aid kit. Naturally, he earned his trail name just then: First Aid. They were going to explore a blue blaze around the rocks and some waterfall. Climbed Three Ridges, a really tough ascent. But I saw my first black bears, as two bounded into the high brush when I approached. Fresh tracks of a third bear up on top -- but no luck tracking down the owner now that I had my camera at the ready.
Out of daylight, so made way down 2.6 miles to Maupin Fields Shelter in the twilight. With all of the nine foot high laurals and that odd lighting only twilight with clouds can give, it was surreal visuals with the blooming flower clusters and dark trail. Hiking at a solid pace, the whites streamed by, flowing. I have the shelter to myself. And the mice. Magical day.
M=13.6; C=814.2