pigs, mountains, and bloodroot

Took our old microwave up to the MiniPigs Sanctuary in Culpeper. We also took grapes and apples as treats for all the piggies. They have potbellied bigs and a few big ol' farm pigs. It was lots of fun feeding treats to the piggies. There was also a lazy and affectionate tomcat that literally climbed halfway up boy and just hugged him. So Tom picked him up and the cat would *not* be put down. It insisted on hugging him, kissing him, gazing at him in adoration, and biting him. I was highly amused. There were lots of cats and dogs, too, of course. I made good friends with several dogs and a couple very insistent cats. The pigs varied from friendly to skittish to indifferent. Most of 'em liked me so long as I had food in my hand. And hey--I'm BRAVE--I hand-fed BIG pigs. Granted, I can remember doing this when I was younger, so I know to keep my fingers straight and flat and out of the pig's mouth. ;)

Before stopping, I thought, "hey, we should call jb98, but I promptly forget upon seeing a curve in the road. My brain is easily distracted.

Anyhow, from there, we went through Sperryville to the Thornton Gap entrance of Skyline Drive/Shenandoah National Park. We drove the central portion, stopping for a couple overlooks. We wandered around Big Meadows for a few minutes, simply because we've never *once* been there when it wasn't cloudy/foggy. It was crystal clear and very serene. I stopped off at the trailhead for the Pocosin Mission Trail to see whether any flowers are out yet. Tons of bloodroot, but nothing else. Sure, there are leaves for columbine, early rue, and lots of other things poking up, but no flowers yet. Bloodroot is pretty, but not worth a hike in and of itself. It will be worth a short stopover tomorrow if we don't see any of it on Bearfence Mountain, which will be tomorrow's hike.

I'm exhausted. Today was mostly driving, but I'm so sleepy I must have actually hiked 500 miles.