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Sunday–March 7, 2021
Trail Day–016
Trail Mile–17.0/189.2
Location–Small Branch by Cave Spring Road
I had a great evening at Davis Mountain Shelter; a beautiful sunset, had the place all to myself–until a bunch of ORV folks came roaring in, followed by the Piedmont EMT squad, also on ORVs. Inquisitive bunch. I 
answered their questions and they finally left after I told them I was hiking the
Pinhoti Trail and was looking for a little peace and quiet.
Another fairly long day with lots of climbing over rocks and boulders. This is my
third time up and over Indian and Flagpole Mountains, but I don’t at all recall the enormous boulder piles. But that was a long time ago and I was much more agile back then!
I have made good time though, reaching the Alabama/Georgia state line a little after one. The state flags of Alabama and Georgia grace 
the spot, placed by Rick Cranford. Nice touch Rick!
Earlier in the day I got off trail and ended up in a briar patch, which did a job
in my old raggedy shorts. Tore them up good. Not good! In my meager four-plus pounds of gear I’ve failed to afford myself spare anything. So, the shorts I’ve got on–they’re it. A call to Nathan saves me the embarrassment of hiking further in my see-through ripped up shorts. Turns out he’s got a shuttle over this way so he brings a spare pair.
A good friend, Dennis Speedy Blackerby and his uncle, Mancil Copperhead
Scogin, have come to hike a couple of days with me. Nathan had told them he’d be meeting me at Old Jackson Chapel Road. Ahh, and they’re all right here, big smiles–all three! Saved me, Nathan; thanks!
A few more minor ups and downs and by late evening we arrive at our destination, the little branch (with the large trail directional sign) just before Cave Spring Road. Well look, sign says Key West that-a-way. We pitch in the soft bed of pine needles and are down before dark.
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.
(John Barrymore)
