No Mailing Address

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

The trail started out in the red GA dirt through thick forest. First we climbed like out of Del Valle, a long steep up. The we got to a sign that warned that the trail is strenuous with 13% average grade to 50% grade at times. Then we started up log stairs like the Dipsea in Mill Valley. Late in the day thunder started rolling and an AT official approached. He said that there has been bear activity and hikers have lost food. We were thus required to stay at the shelter and hang our food. We're in our tent near the shelter.
Gorgeous hiking today was accompanied by constant birdsong. The forest sounded like the Nut Tree aviary. We'll have to learn to recognize birds and their calls.

We saw lots of flowers, some we knew others that we didn't. Small iris that ranged from lavender to dark purple. Two kinds of wood violets with heart shaped leaves - white and purple. A few flame azaleas, dogwoods, and a couple of other white flowered trees.