Date: 2004-07-07
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

View from Overlook near Pass Mtn. HutStart: Rock Spring Hut @ 0903Finish: Pass Mountain Hut @ 1752Miles: 15.3Weather: Partly Cloudy and Hot, Late Afternoon rainstormBreakfast: Vanilla CIB, Chocolate PoptartsLunch: Quesidillas, Turkey Caesar Pita WrapDinner: Mountain Chowder, 2 SnickersTrail Conditions: Rocky! Several good climbsAnimals: Deer, Birds, HawkPeople: Crazyhorse, Section-hikers, Gather, ChafeI awoke this morning very tired, primarily due to my late arrival at camp yesterday. Compared to the past several days today was going to be a low mileage hike at a lazy pace. Indeed it was. Camp was a real cluster this morning as there was a family group of 7 and the four kids just wouldn¢t shut-up or be still. The hour I spent with them this morning was enough, regrettably I got to spend the evening w/ them too.I kicked out the first five miles at an easy pace and rolled into Skyland Resort about 10 minutes after they stopped serving breakfast. So I decided to wait there until lunch! I called up Mom and got the details worked out for coming home. I got a boarding number for the Amtrak that runs from Harpers Ferry to Chicago. I¢ll be getting off in South Bend Indiana, and the folks will pick me up. I depart on the 12th and hope to be back on the trail on the 16th. I am excited for a break and to see my family and friends. After a 2.5 hour hiatus from the days hike, I started chugging along again on a full tank of food.I really didn¢t have my head in the game today and my hike literally dragged by. Even though I hiked at a decent pace I just felt lethargic and took several long breaks. What really concerned me was that for the first time all trip I really had no desire to be hiking and wondered how I would feel if I quit at half-way. It won¢t happen. However, I am just very anxious to hit Harpers. It will be a real psychological booster. Not wanting to ponder bad thoughts I pressed on again.For the first time during my stint in SNP I got views that were really breathtaking. Early I had grumbled to Officer Taco about how lame the park had been. I take back those words now. Hopefully there are more good views tomorrow.With about 15 miles to go before being done with the day a rainstorm cropped up out of nowhere. It was a tease because as I got drenched you could see the sunshine all around me. It was neat though watching the sun refract of the millions of raindrops in the woods. I rolled into the shelter as the rain stopped. Murphy¢s law I suppose. The family from this morning was there and making a racket. They are nice folks, just really annoying. I did all in my power to ignore the non-stop noise and calm my raging desire to strangle the heathen kids that wouldn¢t stick a cork in it. But, by the grace of God things did calm down and a nice conversation was had amongst us hikers. Crazyhorse is on his fourth thru-hike and had some wild stories to tell. Definitely and interesting character. Also, I am the first person he has ever seen carrying a tiki torch! I feel so special¢¦.Everyone is asleep now. I have felt several large mice scurry across my legs. I am now going to focus my attention on skewering one of those little rodents for a late night snack and then go to bed.