June 10, 2004

To date, I have hiked 837.1 miles.  I have hiked past more than 21,000 white blazes.  Apparently, a thru-hiker named Blaze counted each and every white blaze in 2002.  Today, I hiked 20 miles with Bear and Blue, a New York City attorney.  I also met a great group of young boys ages 13-17 from The Discovery School of Virginia. 

I hiked 10 miles before breaking for lunch at the Tye River.  The weather was hot and humid so when I got to the river, I immediately dropped my pack and went for a swim.  I was enjoying my lunch when Bear hiked in. He noticed that I had gone for a swim and said, "Did you like your swim with the copperhead?"  Huh?  Bear pointed to the copperhead on top of the rock near the water.  I didn't get back in.  When I get to Waynesboro,  I'm buying a snake bite kit from the outfitter!