Date: 2003-05-21
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Skyland Service Rd. North (Days Inn)
Miles today: 16.1

Day 69 Avg Mls/Day 13.3Weather: We knew it would come...rain before dawn then foggy, rainy, drizzley, cool day. High temp in high 50's.Today's Nature: Birds singing in the rain. A wet deer.Today came together as well as could be expected with the rainy weather and all. Didn't sleep that well in the shelter last night; not sure why; kind of reminded me of the first few weeks. Charlie was up at daybreak while I lay there saying to myself, "yea I gotta get going." It was raining off and on and no one was anxious to hike in the rain. I finally got around and it was 7:15 or so when we hit the Trail. Charlie and I hiked together all day. The Trail had some nice climbs, but was easy hiking. We made good time and arrived at Big Meadows Lodge/Campground/Restaurant at 10:20. We took off our rain tops and went inside the restaurant to get something to eat. They said, "The restaurant closes in 5 minutes" (10:30) and is not open for lunch. We rushed inside and both ordered breakfast. I had coffee, OJ, the Shenandoah Sampler (eggs, hash browns, bacon, biscuit & gravy) and an order of pancakes. Charlie had an omlet and 2 orders of pancakes. The Park food is expensive (mine was ($16) but sooo good!My folks were going to meet me here sometime this afternoon. The plan was they'd pick me up; we'd get a room in Luray; I'd get cleaned up and we'd go out to eat. I invited Charlie along and he liked the plan. Since it was only 11:30 when we got through with breakfast, (and we had only done 8 miles to Big Meadows) we decided to hike on to Skyland Service Center. I left a note with the clerk for my Dad telling him we would be in Skyland, and would hitch back to Big Meadows to meet them.Charlie and I hiked on. Not real pleasant but we were getting in some miles. There were some rocks today and I remembered much of the Trail from my "shakedown hike" last summer. Actually, had it not been for the foggy mountains and somewhat wet feet, it wasn't bad hiking. BTW, they are calling for rain everyday through Memorial Day. We got to Skyland about 2:30 and just as I was describing my folks' van to Charlie, there it was parked in front of us. After greeting my parents and grabbing a coke out of their cooler, they drove us to the Days Inn in Luray where we all got rooms. After getting cleaned up, they took us to the laundromat and out to eat at a AYCE buffet. Thanks for dinner Mom & Dad! Stopped at Walmart to pick up some supplies and snickers "trail magic" for tomorrow. The plan is my folks will drop us off at Skyland where Charlie and I will continue our NOBO trek. They will pick us up 20 miles or so down the Trail and we will repeat tonight's events. BTW, both Charlie and I will be carrying our full packs NOBO. We may be "light on the food" but will have all backpack items such as the tent, sleeping bag, clothes, stove, fuel, etc. The nice thing is I get to visit with my folks, eat out and sleep in a warm bed for a couple of nights. I wish the weather was better for them so they could do some sightseeing along the parkway. They are going to do some "trail magic" along the Trial during the day while I'm out hiking. Tomorrow we will meet for breakfast and after that, hope to do about 20 miles to Elkwallow Gap.Thought for the Day: I'm fortunate to have parents visiting me on the Trail...great to see you and thanks again!