Date: 2003-05-27
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: moderate rain

No mice last night, that I heard. But for the second morning in a row, a whippoorwill came to awaken the shelter-dwellers at about 5:30. So nice. It didn't stay too long, thankfully, and I fell back asleep. I'd like to stay in my bag longer in the mornings, but I usually have to use the privy by 7 or 7:30. That's a good time to get up anyway, so I'm not really late getting on the trail.I knew Hotdog and I were shooting for a 20-mile day, so I didn't want to start too late. Usually, once I'm out of my sleeping bag, I'm ready to get moving and get on the trail. We left at 8:30, which seems pretty typical for us.There was a slight drizzle when we left, but not enough to warrant wearing a rain jacket. It made for some decent hiking, especially with the cooler temperatures and overcast skies. We stopped for lunch at Hightop Hut, about 8 miles north. The rain started falling harder as we ate lunch, and I noticed the temperature was 50 degrees. Because of the cool air and my already wet shirt and hair, I didn't want to sit around too long. Shortly after lunch, it started raining harder and I put on my rain jacket. It was a decent rain, and I hoped it wouldn't last too long. It stayed around for a while, then finally quit. The trail was in pretty good shape, but muddy in places. Not too bad overall.I had no views from the overlooks today, so that made it easier to keep walking. I saw several deer and a squirrel. The deer here in the park aren't afraid of humans, probably due to lack of hunting. In other parts of the AT, the deer hear or smell us well before we see them. Here, they don't bother to move, even when we're just 15 feet away. It's amazing.In the afternoon, Hotdog and I debated briefly whether we should go to the Lewis Campground campstore or just head to the shelter, a mile away. My feet were tired, so I voted to get to the shelter and skip the store. Tomorrow we have another chance anyway. The shelter was nearly full when we arrived, but there was room for two more, so we squeezed in. Since then, 4 more have arrived.It's amazing how often the AT is very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive. I'm sure most of the people driving by in cars have no clue that there's a trail 25 feet away. I know I'd be surprised if I were driving down the road and saw some hikers right next to me in the woods. Heck, half the time, when I'm hiking, I have no clue how close the road is until a car goes by. With the recent fog, I don't have a clue where I am most of the time. It makes for a much different hike than when the days are clear and sunny.The sun peeked through around 6pm today, about the time I got to the shelter, but it brightened my spirits some. I miss the sunshine. I like sunshine, especially after the rains and overcast, foggy days we've been having. It's good to have ample water sources, but I miss my sunshine. I should watch what I ask for though, because I could end up with blazing hot days, and then I'll be wishing the cooler days were back. Hmmm... Maybe. I'd like to test out my theory. Some dayhikers told me today, that rain was expected until Friday, when sunshine might make an appearance. "Great" I said, "That's about the time I'll be leaving the Park." Oh well. It gives me another addition to my 'Places to Revisit' list. I'm gonna have lots to do after this hike is over! When will I have time to work?!?