6/3/12 667 mile
The trail passed through several pastures, always involving the scramble over fence stiles on each end. The stiles are made from 2×4 lumber in an A shape, often placed at odd angles to the fence, sometimes constructed from lumber weathered and shaky, and always a challenge to negotiate with a backpack. The stiles save hikers from opening and closing gates and prevent careless hikers from leaving gates open.
I met up with Kleenex at the Keiffer Oak, the largest oak tree on the AT in the south, and we captured pictures of each other standing next to it’s massive trunk.
I let Kleenex go on ahead while I washed out my shirt in a stream and took a break for a snack. Later that afternoon the trail climbed 1500 feet up Brush Mountain to the Audie Murphy Monument, the most decorated soldier of WWII. The mountain was up so high that for once I had cell service so I called Jenny to wish her Happy Birthday one day in advance.
I finally arrived at Pickle Branch Shelter, 22.5 miles for the day, a new record.