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Wednesday–March 3, 2021
Trail Day–012
Trail Mile–14.0/129.2
Location–Pine Glen Campground, then to home of Rick and Martha Cranford
A pleasant night at Americas Best Value Inn, my third stay here (two others were also during Pinhoti Trail treks). Kind lady, Tammy Perry, City of Heflin, comes for us this morning (Braden, Little John, Swampwater, & Nimblewill). A short stop for breakfast carry out at MacDonald’s and we’re back on trail a little after eight. Thanks for your kindness Tammy! Heflin is a mighty fine trail town.
My hike today will take me mostly along and below the mountain 
ridge on cut trail (known as side-slabbing) as the trail winds the ins and outs of the precipitous mountainsides. However, there’s plenty of climbing that offers grand views.
Dropping to Lower Shoal Creek brings me to the shelter there. What a perfect
spot to spend a night. Hikers have commented in the shelter register about the calming effect of the rippling shoals.
Spring might just be getting ready to go. I think I spot the least bit of color in some of the treetops, and a few dainty little wildflowers are 
springing up along the trail.
Lots of broken pine sprigs scattered in the trail today, some very big blowdowns across the trail too, the leftover result of recent heavy winds.
Evening now, the trail drops to cross Shoal Creek, then to follow along its clear, fast-rushing waters. Soon I arrive at Pine Glen Campground–where Rick is waiting for me.
I will be the gladdest thing under the sun!
I will touch a hundred [wild] flowers
and not pick one.
(Edna St. Vincent Millay)
