Date: 2004-05-07
From: Hightop Hut

To: Big Meadows Lodge
Miles today: 20.1

Oh what a day. The day started out cool, and quickly changed to hot and muggy conditions. Stopped in for lunch at a campground and started lunch off with an ice cream crunch bar. The rest of lunch was 4oz of beef, crackers, and Mike & Ikes. It was tough to continue on in the heat, but that what we do for a living... hike. Rain or shine the weather has little effect on daily mileage. So I was listening to the radio for a weather report. Finally got one and was not happy at what I heard. The Shenandoah¢s and surrounding counties were under a severe thunderstorm watch till 10. It was only 6. At this point there were some clouds and an increase in humidity, but that was all. Started to hear some thunder, and at that point I quickened my pace considerably. The dark clouds and strong wind began to worry me. My best guess of the distance till the restaurant was two miles at least. Came to a dirt road with a sign to a wayside restaurant. Started sprinting up this dirt road while occasionally looking over my shoulder at the coffee black clouds aproaching. By the time I had reached the top of the hill it looked like a scene from Twister. All I could say was wow! The clouds were rolling just above my head blocking the sun. People were getting out of their cars to film the clouds, I ran right past them for the wayside. My luck, it was closed. What were my options? I did not have many. So I spent some time in a phone booth. This was a great spot to avoid the wind. It was great till the lightning starting. If lightning did strike the building or phone line for that matter I would be shot out of that phone booth like toast out of a toaster. A worker at the wayside was leaving and said a ride was on its way to fetch me. So this ranger pulls up and looks me up and down. This is how the conversation went. Ranger: "can I help you?" me: "can you give me a ride to the lodge?" Ranger: "Can I see a form of photo ID" He then looked me up and down again and asked if I was carrying any fire arms or knives. I was like... no, just a tiny pocket knife in my bag. So we get in the car where he calls in my drivers license number over the radio. He took me to the lodge where Mousetrap was already waiting, and Quincy already had a room. We all went to the bar downstairs and ordered some food. Mousetrap and I both decided to move on three miles to the next shelter for the night. It was already 8 and from our table we could see the sun setting behind a beautiful array of clouds. I had to make two phone calls so we already knew it was going to be a night hike. So we get about half a mile down the trail and we manage to lose the trail. The trail paralleled campgrounds where many campers like to make their own trails. So we are trying to follow blazes but there are just too many trails going off in so many directions we just decided to head back to the lodge and sleep on the floor of Quincy¢s room. All worked out in the end. It¢s strange but that¢s how it normally happens on the trail. Everything happens for a reason. Now because we stopped here for the night that leaves a 33 mile day in the morning. So I¢m going to enjoy this carpeted luxury and head to bed.