Day 58 - Cove Mountain to Marble Spring Campsite

 
This was our longest day yet mileage-wise – 24. Feel pretty good. Started at 8 and finished at 7.

There was a long eight-mile climb, which slowed us down a bit. Had planned to do 17 miles, but the sky actually cleared and we decided to make it an easier day tomorrow.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, though it doesn’t really feel like it. We did see some car campers this morning. The men were coming back with coffee and a box of Krispy Kremes. None for us, though.

Crossed over the Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of times. Yesterday it was so foggy we could barely see the blazes. Today we actually had a view.

Did the threat of rain keep all the day hikers away? We only saw one man this morning and a small group of guys late in the afternoon. No thru hikers at all. Everyone’s ahead of us or behind us. I don’t mind.

 
Decided to stay at a campsite with a spring. Thought Murph and the gang might be here, but they’re not. Kind of strange camping alone – but at least the lack of earplugs won’t be an issue.

I went down to wash up and saw two deer. One was pretty fearless, so I was able to get close enough to see her chin hairs! No camera, though. Now there’s an owl here. This is pretty cool!
 
Later, the whip-poor-will was doing his thing. Then we heard something rustling near the tent. It was a deer, and I guess it was licking the salt out of Dave’s pee. Eww.

I slept really well. I’m sure being exhausted and overtired didn't hurt.