T+27 Not feeling it today

T+27 (June 25, 2020)

Navigation Report:
Start point: Hemlock Springs Camp (mile 1408.8)
Destination: TBD. Will stealth camp somewhere.

Travel Log:
9:00 Break camp (mile 1408.8)
9:00-9:30 Stream (mile 1409.0) → refill water
9:40-10:00 Repair stop (mile 1409.3)
11:15-12:45 Appalachian Market (mile 1412.4)
1:00 Franciscan Way (mile 1413.0)
1:30-1:55 Hilltop Shrine (mile 1413.8)
2:15 Denning Hill (mile 1414.7)
3:00-3:20 Old Albany Post Road (mile 1415.8) → refill water
4:05 Stream (mile 1417.3) → camp

Daily mileage: 8.5
Total mileage: 263

Commander’s Report:
I was surprisingly able to get out of camp relatively early in the morning today. I think it is because I knew a ton of day hikers would be on the trail later and wanted to avoid them. The desire to avoid interactions can be a great motivator!

First thing after breaking camp I stopped down at the stream I collected water from yesterday. Both 1L bottles were refilled and I was ready to go. Or so I thought.

Under a half mile up the trail I noticed something flapping against my right hop. Upon investigation, my hip belt pouch had come undone at one end and that eat was surging freely about. I had to walk nearly back to the stream before I found the connector that attaches to the belt.

After the repair stop, I made really good time - nearly 3 mph! That, however, only lasted until I reached Appalachian Market. I stopped there to get an early lunch. I got the following: 12" BLT sub, chips, potato salad and a vitamin water. The sub was really good and nicely filling. A pretty good haul for $12.50. Wish I'd taken a picture of the place. I keep forgetting to photograph things other than nature. Next time!

About a half mile north of the market the trail cuts through a Franciscan friary. They have a ball field that they open up to hikers for tenting. They also provide water and a shower. I'd hoped to stay here last night, mainly for the water and shower. Oh well, I'll get a shower eventually.

A bit under a mile north of the friary is a hilltop shrine that's part of the friary. The place is kind of empty at the moment, but it's still an oddly powerful place.

Shrine to the virgin mother

​Here's the cross and dedication (or what's left of it).

Yes, that’s tinsel as part of the shrine. No, I didn’t put it there for some fun.

​Around on one side of the shrine are some day lillies. Fitting.

I’ve always loved day lillies. Hopefully these grow in thicker in the coming years.

​I think the reason that the shrine is powerful to me is due to the fact that its built in a hill fort. The thing is similar layout to the iron age ones I've seen excavated on Time Team. It was certainly impressive a person, but I think much will be lost in translation to picture. The first image is of the back corner. Note the two walls.

Some of the hundreds of yards of walls that make this hill fort.

​This next one is taken from the left hand edge of the wall in back. The structure visible here is the back side of the shrine.

Hill forts are all about the layers. I’ll give the makers of this one a B-. Good effort, but no ditch and too many entrances.

​A few miles north I decided to pack it in for the day. I knew I wasn't going to be able to make Dennytown road campsite early enough to get all of the blogging I want to get done, done. Plus, I never was really able to get in the zone today. May as well pack it in.