Date: 2006-06-09
From: Hightop Hut, VA

To: Skyline Drive near Big Meadows, VA
Miles today: 21.2

The problem with this park is that there are so many places to take breaks! I spent a couple hours lunching at a campground store, then went to a taproom at 8 pm with 3.5 miles left to go! It was a good time. Our table of 12 hikers was definitely the most lively, and Donkey apologized for us to a couple, saying, "Sorry, we don¢t get in much!" Haha. True enough. I almost forgot I was a hiker until the music stopped at 10:45 and I realized that while everyone else was going up to their rooms in the lodge, I had to put on my pack and hike in the cold dark before I could sleep! Argh. Zoomer had had a few too many, so we made it just under a mile before we pitched tents at 12:30 am in a very illegal camping area next to Skyline Drive.My highlight of the day was finally catching up with Jangles and Baro! They went on ahead when Lindsay and I took time off over Trail Days, and I've finally made up those 3.5 days.I received a couple updates from Lindsay, which should be posted along with today's entry. I had no idea that her injuries had gotten worse and hope a couple days off will be good for her. I hope she can stay on the trail, but even if she has to finish it up in sections...what a section she just did! She should be a day or so into the Shenandoahs, and I feel relieved that the terrain will give her a nice break.I have not seen any bears yet in the park, though everyone else has. Deer by the dozens, however, and even a few fawns with white dots on their backs. So cute.Cheers,Chardonnay*************An Update From Cabernet (Lindsay)*************Hello again, I made it to Waynesboro yesterday! I think Erin's a couple days ahead of me at this point. This is such a nice hiker town! Waynesboro is about 4 miles from the visitor's center in Rockfish Gap, where the trail hits the road. Normally, we'd have to hitchhike to get into town. However, Waynesboro has a list of trail angels that you can call who will pick you up and drive you into town! How wonderful! And you can call them while you're in town and they will help you get places if they can. While I was outside the post office, sorting through my stuff, it seemed like everyone that walked in or out of the post office stopped to ask me about my hike and how it was going. When I went into the post office to mail something, I left my pack and poles outside. When I came back out, someone had left $5 and a note that said "Happy Hiking" under my poles! I don't know who left it, but thanks!! My feet are still sore, unfortunately. My boyfriend and I decided that the problem with my left foot is not tendonitis, but actually a collapsing/collapsed arch. He found a stretch I can do that should help a little bit. Apparently, it takes a several weeks to recover from this to the point where it won't come back. I'm going to buy some new insoles and see how it goes. My boyfriend is going to drive down next weekend and meet me so I can take a day or two off without feeling like I'm wasting time. I'm going to take it pretty easy through the Shenandoahs. I really don't want to get off the trail, but if my foot doesn't get better soon I might have to stop. It's not an easy decision for me. I start the Shenandoahs when I leave Waynesboro and they're easier than what we've been hiking through. The drastic climbs are over for a few hundred miles from what I've heard, so that should work in my favor. There are also a lot of bears in the Park, so I'm hoping to see one! The weather has been beautiful recently - 60s/70s during the day, 50s at night. Perfect hiking weather!! That's all for now,Lindsay