Date: 2003-05-29
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

I thought the morning looked promising, when I first opened my eyes, but before I knew it, raindrops were falling. A bunch of us piddled around the shelter, and Hotdog, Kellen and I left around 9:20, without rain. It was actually a nice day hiking. For a while. There was no sunshine, but it wasn't raining at least.We cruised along, looking for bears. There was a lot of bear scat, and it seemed pretty fresh, but we saw no bears. B-Roc said a bear was on the trail and he waited 10 minutes until it got out of his way. After about 7 miles, we came to Pinnacle Picnic area, which had covered picnic tables, restrooms, water fountain... the whole works! After about 10 minutes, I was overjoyed that the area was covered, because it started raining. It got quite chilly too, and we had to walk quickly to warm up. It helped that we had a climb right after lunch, and I was wearing my rain jacket. It rained off and on for the afternoon.There weren't great views today, but occasionally I could see an adjacent mountain or two. It was cool how the fog or clouds would roll up the mountains, or just sit in small pockets in one place on the mountain, but not others. I really want to come back here when the weather is nicer. I'm sure the views are absolutely awesome!I'm getting testosterone overload, as last night, along with tonight, I'm the only female here in the shelter. All these guys together get pretty ... well, they get like guys get. It's a good thing I don't get offended easily. Today, while hiking, I was first of the three of us (Hotdog, Kellen and I) and not once, but TWICE, one of the guys up ahead stopped right on the trail to pee. I don't mind that, but I would appreciate, if I'm in eyesight, they either go more than a step off the trail, or let me pass by. It was kinda funny though. I decided at those times that it was time for me to take a drink break and look for bears in the other direction. Typical guys, thinking they can just whip it out whenever they have to and stand between some rocks or next to a tree.I saw a chipmunk the other day, my first, and today saw nearly a dozen. They were cute little critters, running without fear three feet in front of me across the trail. They look like big hampsters to me and are quick, darting along logs or into holes in trees.I felt pretty good hiking today, and the miles seemed to pass pretty quickly. My hip feels fine now, and my feet actually felt pretty good today. Every morning my feet and ankles ache, but once the shoes are strapped on, it's time to go. I haven't been wearing the Ace bandage on my right leg for the last two days, and it feels good too. The sore on my left heel is healing pretty well. I'm keeping Compeed on it at least until it heals, and longer if the rubbing continues.I'll be sad to leave Shenandoah, not just because of it's well-graded trails, but because it is a beautiful park, and I want to see some of it in bright, drying sunlight. Everything is a lush green and in a lot of places the only brown seen is the AT.For some reason, I have this idea that it's sunny outside the Park, and once outside, I'll see that, but I know it's not true. I don't like being wet all the time, but I've been warm and dry in my sleeping bag and that is the most important thing to me. It's also why I haven't gotten up very early lately. There's been plenty of daylight for the miles though.Today, Hotdog and I stopped at Panorama, a gift shop just over a mile south of this shelter. We spent over an hour there, just hanging out, in from the rain, using running water, including hot water, and eating snacks. We had plenty of time, and got to the shelter shortly after 5pm even with that stop.Tomorrow there is a Wayside about 7 miles north of here, and I'm planning on lunch there. I might even splurge for a chocolate shake too, since it's the last wayside before leaving the Park. Because it's easy to spend money here, every day, I'll be happy to leave. A cheeseburger is just too tempting for me to resist!Some of the same as last night are here at the shelter: Randy, Ray and Jason, Kellen, Mule, Paparazzi, Siesta, and Hotdog. Plus, thruhikers Hoser and Fish are here tonight as well. A lot of them are planning on going to a hostel, about 22 miles from here, but I'm considering the next shelter, about 13 from here, with the long Wayside break in the middle.Sometimes I feel like I should be doing more miles each day, but I've been enjoying seeing a lot of the same people each night at the shelters. I'm still not concerned with hiking at least X number of miles per day, but have moments when I'd like to push a little bit more. The weather has made me, and a lot of others, want to stop at shelters for the night, and the last two days, the miles were either 13-15, or 24-27. Since I don't want to do much over 20, I've been doing the lower miles the last two days. It's relaxing, and I suppose my body needs days like that. But there's still a competitive part of me that wants to push myself. I guess the smarter part has been winning the mental battle lately. I'm thinking that's a good thing, considering I'm not halfway done yet. There are a lot of miles to go still.