Day 117. "I Almost Stepped On It!"

I hiked south from a road crossing at mile 1100.6. Soon I reached the celebratory signs announcing that I've now hiked 1100 miles, and shortly after that, I reached the sign that marks the halfway point of the trail. It was 1098.7 miles to either end of the trail. Is the glass half full or half empty? For me, I felt overwhelmed with the enormity of the trail ahead of me. I've been on the trail for 5 months and I still have to go as far as I've come. I can only keep walking.
Walking I did. I passed through a beautiful pine forest, a Potomac Appalachian Trail Club cabin built in 1930, and a couple of shelters. About a mile from the end of my section, I was bounding down a steep descent, leaping over the watermark. Out of the corner of my eye was the unmistakable pattern of a rattlesnake. Instead of stepping on it, I was able to fly another 6 feet down the trail and thereby avoided getting bit. Putting on the brakes, I went back and commemorate my first venomous snake on this trip with video and photos.
Continuing on, I met 4 other thru hikers heading in that direction who I warned about the snake on the trail. 20 minutes later, I arrived at the car, having completed my days hike back to Caledonia State Park.