June 30 - Clark’s Creek (Day 103 – milepoint 1136.0)

We said good-bye to everyone this a.m. as they all moved on ahead. AquaMom and I walked and talked for about 3 miles and found another good overlook and took a long break. Once we got to walking again, we came upon a stick in the middle of the Trail with a piece of paper on it reading: “STOP! Rattlesnake on log, 15 feet ahead to the right -Achilles.” I inched forward and Mom followed CLOSE behind.

She saw it before I did – a nice fat, 4-foot-long timber rattlesnake on a log just a few feet off the Trail. I stopped to take a picture and eventually caught up to Mom who had covered a good distance before stopping to wait.

We set up camp at Clark’s Creek and we both took a two-hour nap. The heat is pretty draining. I started cooking dinner when Small World and Devin walked up and stopped to chat. I hadn’t seen Small World since Damascus (mile 450) and hadn’t seen Devin since way back in Georgia around mile 40! Great to see them again.

It is now late (after dark) and I am thankful to have the tent where we are safe from insects. As I listen to the peaceful sounds of a light breeze in the trees, crickets chirping in the distance, and Mom snoring next to me, I am no longer worried about whether she will be able to adjust and find comfort in camping. I am so happy she is here.

Aquaholic