Date: 2010-06-10
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: on a ridge 2.5 miles from Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 21.0

"The wonder of the world, the beauty and the power, the shapes of things, their colors, lights and shades-these I saw. Look ye also while life lasts."   ~ from a tombstone in EnglandJune 10, 2010 ¢ Day 67 - ThursdayThe great thing about hiking in the Shenandoah National Park is that if you time it just right you can hit a wayside restaurant/store almost everyday. I only brought two days of meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with me. This morning's plan was to get to Skyland Resort and Restaurant for breakfast. When I walked in the restaurant with Sherpa and Draggin Tail I noticed the hikers out numbered tourists. More were coming in as I ate.The day was sunny, cool and crisp and the hikers hung out in front of the restaurant sitting in the grass and on rocks. We look up and see a bear walk across the street. Suddenly the doors erupted with tourists spilling out with an assortment of camera gear dangling from their necks. The hikers just stood their. Each one said out loud, to no one in particular, a number.   Mine was 7. That's how many bears I've seen so far this hike. One of the tourists was coming back and noticed none of the hikers moved. He looked at us and said, ¢This isn't your first time is it? I bet you see a lot out there." We all nodded in agreement.Standing around and talking is great but it doesn't put miles under your boots. One by one hikers began putting their backpacks on and heading up the trail. It was such a beautiful day.I have often wondered when I'm hiking what I might have missed or not noticed when I¢m in the zone. Was there a deer, a peculiar shaped tree, or a bear in the woods? You get the picture. Well, today I found out and it made my hair on my arms stand up. We had just left the rocks of Stony Man Overlook. I was in the lead, Sherpa behind me and Draggin Tail behind Sherpa. All of a sudden I hear Sherpa yell, "Krispy, get back here!' He is standing ever so alert and pointing towards the ground and said, "You almost stepped on that Rattlesnake!" I looked and at first I still did not see it. The colors and pattern of the colors blended in so well with the tans of the leaves, the dark color of the soil and the shadows cast by the tree, it was hard to distinguish the snake. BUT, there in between two rocks (that I stepped on) was the distinct rattle of a snake. The body was sunning itself on the rocks. If I had landed on the tail I am positive I would have been struck. They say the AT is a story of miles - for me today it was a story of inches.The overlooks into the Shenandoah Valley were clear - great views. My favorite was Mary's Rock. The descent from Mary's Rock twisted through assorted shaped boulders and rocks piled on top of one another on the trail. This section of trail took a toll on my feet. Everyone decided to rest and have lunch at the bottom at Panorama. By the way the hikers looked it felt good knowing it affected them, too.Tonight I am camped on a ridge over looking the valley with Sherpa, Draggin Tail, Home Brew. The sunset sky was full of oranges as I cooked my dinner and prepared my tent for sleep.If not now, then when? KrispyKritter 2010 GaMe