Date: 2016-05-23
From: Bearfence Mountain

To: Skyland Resort & Restaurant
Miles today: 15.9

Once again I wake up after Crisscross and it is cold and wet. I woke a couple of times during the night and it was raining. Sunray went behind the hut and was able to get close to a deer. I got a nice photo of that. Aurora, Conundrum, Crisscross, Sunray, Stuart, McGoober and I decided to go to a wayside restaurant about 8 miles down the trail and do our wash at the campground nearby. We decided to go 7 more miles hiking and stay at the Skyland Resort. We'll rent one room and pack in there. We can all shower, eat at the restaurant and have a dry warm night. There was something different about this morning...no fog/mist. Okay. That is promising. I got off again at 7:30am and there was still mud on the trail. Nonetheless, it was good hiking. The bottom of my right foot felt sore again. I did not take ibuprofen this morning but I did take some a couple hours into the hike. There was a short side trail to a lookout so I dropped my pack and took it but was not very good in terms of views. There were clouds in the distance and trees in the way. There were some nice flowing creeks and many birds singing. I made good time to the Wayside restaurant. I got there at 10am with Aurora and Conundrum. Crisscross and Sunray were already there. Ran into am Mcdoubles, Cool Dad and Black Santa. I ordered eggs, sausage, potatoes, biscuit and side of two buckwheat pancakes. I was full but happy.We left the restaurant and hiked to Big Meadows Campground and washed our clothes, while we were there it started raining then hailing. The hail was small and did not last long. Brought back memories of the big hailstorm! A few weeks ago. I got back on the trail soon after. It had stopped raining but was still muddy. I started thinking of the Hobbit and how tough their quest was with all the hiking they did. But Bilbo and Frodo didn't have to wear socks or boots. They go barefoot everywhere. That is where I get the most problems...my feet. Maybe they had it easier! They must have carried lots of food because we all know Hobbits love to eat many times during the day. Maybe Crisscross and Blackbear are Hobbits, they eat like them I am going to have to check their feet!!!!! Anyways, I have to worry about snakes, bears and chipmunks. Bilbo and Frodo had to worry about Orcs, Goblins, Warlocks and other bad creatures. Ok maybe the Hobbits had it harder. The sun started to come out and the views were back, at least a little bit. I walked by many small waterfalls streaming down rocks next to the trail. Very pretty. I hiked with Aurora a bit then with McGoober, we talked about each other's lives, I tried to convince her to stay with us at the lodge but she decided to press on. I actually started feeling lightheaded and stopped. I sat down, drank some water and ate a snickers. I guess I went a long time between eating something. I have to be careful especially with the hot weather coming. Aurora caught up and we walked together to the lodge. The lodge was very nice. We were all in the room, took showers and then went to the Tap Room for dinner and drinks. I had a local Brown Ale which was very good. During dinner a duo playing a guitar and a banjo entertained us. They played mostly old country music and they did a great job. We all walked back and turned in. It's nice to be dry and warm.