Date: 2013-07-16
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 7.4

Scott's Journal:Dad and I broke camp late from Flat Top Mountain campground tenting site (Loft Mountain). It was a nice gravel tent site, very absorbent. We stopped for an energy bar break early around 11 am. I was tired this morning. By lunch around 12:45pm I was back on my feet. We hiked Black Rock Mountain (thinking of Black Rocks Brewery in Marquette!) and stopped at Black Rock Hut around 3:20 pm clocking in at 7.4 miles. We met Sassy Bear, Ang, Lil' Buddy, River Dog, Smoke Break, Elijah, Break Nap, and Mr. Bojangles. All pleasant conversation. River Dog looks like Doc Holiday saying "I am your huckleberry." We shared our testimonies with each other and fellowshipped in Jesus Christ's love together. Our tentsite is on a cliff's edge, but I like it. My dad might use duct tape for his blisters instead of moleskin tomorrow! I hope it works. We are in fellowship with nature out here.Tom's Journal:Scott bandaged my feet with moleskin and duct tape and we set off for Black Rock Hut. My feet were still very sore but we had a shorter hike today, but the pace was very slow. We hiked through an area called Black Rock Mountain. Which was like a big rock field. Coincidentally, the name Black Rocks is also the name of my niece Wendy and her husband David's brewery in Marquette, Michigan. On the last part of the trail just before reaching our destination we passed an exhausted looking hiker named River Dog going the opposite way. He asked "How far to Black Rock Hut"? We said "You should have already passed it, since that was where we were going." He seemed confused but kept on hiking north. A little further down the trail we saw a map lying down on the ground and picked it up. We soon arrived at the shelter and about 15 minutes later River Dog came dragging in. Said he decided to turn around. Good move. By the way, the dropped map was his. He was happy to see it. We got to know River Dog pretty well over the evening and next morning. About my age, from Jacksonville, FL with a love for adventure. Just a teriffic guy. He shared his story of how his hiking trip started out. He and a buddy drove their vehicles from Jacksonville FL to Harper's Ferry WV. Dropped one vehicle there and then drove about 130 miles back south to Waynesboro, VA to start a section hike to Harper's Ferry. 5 miles into the hike, rain forced then to stealth camp for the night. Still raining the next morning. River dog's hiking partner woke up and informed River Dog he no longer wanted to hike. He wanted to go home. Of course that meant River Dog would have to drive him to Harper's Ferry to get his car. First River Dog had to hike back to Waynesboro where he rented a motel room and stored gear and then they both drove to Harper's Ferry to get the car. About 3/4 of the way there, River Dog's hiking partner discovered he had left his keys in Waynesboro, so back they went to retrieve the keys. River Dog eventually got his hiking partner safely on his way home and then began his hike all over again. Needless to say, he was not in a good mood when we first saw him but was able to laugh about it as he shared his story. He told us about a bull run being staged in Conyers, GA in October in which he was planning on participating. Thought Scott and I might be interested. Told him I would have to survive the AT first.