Date: 2015-10-09
From: Stealth Camping south of Pinnacles 

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The wind howled all night long and into the morning. I listened to snapping tree branches but did not hear or see any more deer. My sleep was restless again, and I started my day tired. However, I knew I was feeling better because I woke up hungry; starving actually. I have had very little appetite since I've been sick, so I hungrily munched on my blueberry crisp cliff bar. Cliff bars have been my go to food and has been my breakfast of choice on the trail for months now. I got up at dark to get an early start so I could stop at the Skyland Restaurant and Resort for breakfast and to charge my phone which was down to 2%. All my maps and guides are on my phone which I use frequently and slowly eats up my battery. I was very happy to be on the trail by 7:30am only 15 minutes after sunrise.  The Restaurant is only 2.5 miles away and only .2 off the trail. Now, if only I could do this every morning...Leaving camp the trail immediately went along a ridge line with spectacular views of the town of Luray below which I have been getting peeks of for awhile. The colors of the trees are getting more and more splendid looking. There were some awesome rock formations along the edge of stony brook mountain and cliffs. It turned cool and windy along the edge but warmed up as soon as the trail turned back into the forest. The views were quite fantastic. I may always want to come back to hike in the Shenandoahs this time of year to see the leaves change into these magnificent colors. I don't believe this us even their peak yet.I found a place to charge my phone while I helped myself to the breakfast buffet at the Lodge. I had a little bit of everything including a massive plate of fruit and yogurt. I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. This was not good. Next I moved to a comfy stuffed chair in front of a fireplace and made phone calls and replied to emails, etc. I didn't plan to be too long but before I noticed the time several hours had gone by. My phone still wasn't completely chared as I was using it. As I got up to leave I realized I was hungry again so I ordered a portobello mushroom sandwich and french fries. Everyone seemed to want to talk to me about my hike, and it was hard getting put of there. Long distance hikers and their packs tend to stand out, and I was the only hiker there today. I was told to watch out for a thunderstorm coming in late this afternoon or evening. More gorgeous views and now I am seeing a lot more red colors instead of mostly yellow shades. And the rock formations I saw this afternoon are incredible. My photographs did not capture the full effect. I plan to take photography classes when I return home. I wish I had done that before this trip, but my camera was a last minute purchase.I stopped at a hut, which is a shelter, because it was only 5 miles away and the sky looked threatening. I don't want to lug a wet tent around if I don't have to. It was a good choice because within 10 minutes the thunder started and then the downpour. There are six of us here, and I'm the only one awake. I was tired all day and now that it's hiker midnight and need my sleep I am not tired.