Date: 2018-05-24
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Thornton Gap - Luray, VA
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today we are celebrating our 3 month anniversary on the trail! YOWSA! That just seems so crazy that we have been hiking that long! We started our day with a big breakfast at the Big Meadows Lodge. We were standing in line when the dining room opened at 7:30 so we could try to be back on the trail as close to 8:00 as possible. It ended up being around 8:15, so that meant we would just have to hike a little faster. We had already arranged a shuttle pick up between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. and we had 17.6 miles between us and our ride into Luray. Today would be another walk down memory lane. As Next Step has mentioned, we were last stationed in DC and for the last two and a half years, we spent ALOT of time in the Shenandoah National Park. We were also fortunate to have lots of guests over that time and one of our favorite things to do with them was to take them hiking in the SNP. Almost all of today¢s hike included parts of the trail where we had spent time entertaining our guests. It reminded us of taking Tracy and Trista,from Indianapolis, to the Stoneman Trail. It was their first time to hike in the SNP and later on that day we saw a bear that refused to get off the trail. They LOVED it! We were reminded of hiking with Bryson and Leah Read, from Austin, and sitting on a rock on one of the views and just having a feeling of pure peace. We hiked past Black Rock where we had taken my Aunt Sue and Uncle Frank last Fall. We did several hikes with them that day and were reminded of all our laughs and the goofy pictures we had taken! Next Step had stopped for a picture at one of the views today (of which there were MANY!!) and Snow Angel came up to also enjoy the view. We were happy to see her again. She and I chitchatted the next few miles while we hiked to the Skyland Lodge for lunch. Those miles went by in a flash! We enjoyed overpriced club sandwiches and fries. But sadly, I would have probably paid double if they had asked. It hit the spot and would give us the fuel we needed to hike the remaining 10 miles to Thornton Gap. On our way we hit the trail to the Pinnacles and finally Mary¢s Rock. This reminded us of the fun day we spent hiking with David, Becky and Carlin Green and Carlin¢s girlfriend, Jackie. I remember how the wind was blowing so hard that day we could barely eat our lunch! There were lots more hikes and lots more friends that joined us on hikes in the SNP, but those didn¢t include any time on the AT. But it brought back all of those memories as well. Especially the time we took ¢Fearless Chris¢ and his wife Alisha on a hike. Chris scared the bajeevers out of me, going off trail and climbing on rocks!! He also loved to jump out from behind trees and growl to try and scare Alisha and me. I decided I would get him back, so I ran ahead and hid behind a tree. When I jumped out, I ¢growled¢ really loud, except when it came out, it sounded more like a screech. Seriously, it had sounded so much scarier in my head!! They said I reminded them more of a pink panther than a bear! That was such a great day and the start of an AMAZING friendship. We made it to our pick up spot at 5:20 and Allison from the Open Arms Hostel was patiently waiting for us. She drove us into Luray and gave us a quick tour on where to find a grocery store and supper - very important information for thru hikers! Lol We got checked into our motel and got showers. Then we walked back to the pizzeria for supper. Shocker! Now just to get back and get ready for an EXCITING day tomorrow!! Our son and his wife are headed this way to spend Memorial Day weekend with us. I can hardly stand the wait!! Tomorrow, Next Step will represent us on the trail and I am taking the kiddos to Luray Caverns. We¢ve hiked tomorrow¢s trail more than once, so I thought it would be fine to miss out this time. But Next Step will be busting miles to try and finish up the SNP so that we can be set up to do an overnighter with the family Sunday night. He¢ll get a much deserved zero on Saturday. And we¢ll be making memories all weekend for me to think about the rest of our hike! I am thinking it¢s just what I need to chase away the Virginia Blues!!HugsWhich Way Elevation Data:Ascent - 3,345Descent - 3,680Grade - 7.6Weather:Day - 72 / Sunny Night - 57 / ClearOver the Horizon:Harpers Ferry