Date: 2013-06-07
From: High Top Hut

To: Big Meadow Campground
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

Mama Mia! Another rainy day! The rain stopped in the middle of the night so I was hopeful it had moved on. Nope - not to be. It resumed right up with daybreak. So on goes the wet clothes from yesterday (remember we carry minimal clothing and you can NEVER get your sleeping clothes wet). One by one the hikers set off. I was third to last.Clover is getting off at Swift Run Gap to go home. It's 3+ miles there so an easy hike for her. She pointed out a few plants for me. Clover knows a lot about plants - I'm losing a horticulturalist.We are hiking with Jiffy Girl who is also getting off at Swift Run Gap to get a hotel room. She obviously has more sense than me - my plans are to hike 18 miles in the rain. I'm happy the two can go into town together. I was a bit worried about Clover hitching in alone, if that's what it took.My cutoff comes first so after good-byes I head into the wet, damp woods. I'm ever optimistic that this rain will end soon but it never does. About 7 hours into my hike I am so sick of being wet that I'm ready to scream. But I never do - I just keep walking to keep warm. I even see one of my favorite people, Why Not, and feel like such a b#$%* because I don't even want to talk to her. She is walking with a poncho and umbrella. I definitely need to rethink my wet gear. The raincoat I have is a guaranteed shirt soaker. I am soaked from head to toe. Far from ideal.My goal today is Big Meadows complex, Wayside (restaurant), shower, laundry and camping. The place is pricey so the camping will be fine ($20!). I head first for the Wayside in all my hiker funk. Even I can tell I smell bad but walking takes you first here and the showers etc are farther up the hill.I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich with salad and coffee. It isn't the best idea to drink coffee at 5 in the evening but I really want a nice hot boost at this point. The meal is awesome! Just what I need.Tags, Jet lag, Slim Jim, Mother Teresa and Peaches walk in just as I get my sandwich. They came in yesterday and stayed an extra day because of the rain. We talk and they soon have me laughing. I needed that! They have also made a friend - Annadeana - a ranger at the park. She offers to drive me to the camp office. Thank you so much! Things are getting better by the minute.I get my tent site then head for the showers. Nothing like a hot shower to get you right. I then do laundry and sort through all my things - drying, cleaning, sorting. I even dry my pack and stuff newspaper into my boots to get them dry. I am a new woman! Tags stops by later to offer a place on the floor at their lodgings. So kind of him but I decline. I'm back in the AT groove now - all under control (plus I already got my little campsite). As I am finishing up my laundry, Big Yankee, a young man that was at the shelter last night comes in. He just arrived and wanted to know where he could get something to eat. I let him know the Wayside serves dinner and then also offer to let him camp at my site. You can have two tents per site. He accepts and heads off to find food.It's 10 PM - late by hikers' standards. Big Yankee is all set up at the camp - he had a brew and pulled pork sandwich so is feeling good. He's young and doesn't mind the rain. We chat between tents as he set up - he's from Rhode Island. He also was able to get a weather report earlier. This will be moving out tomorrow and the sun will shine! Chances of more rain Sunday and Monday. I'll settle for that. For now I am all dry and that's a good thing.