Date: 2008-06-25
From: Fishers Gap

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up late, it was already 7:00 a.m.We said goodbye to Dan & Megan, wished them well and thanked them again for their trail magic.We planned to do lunch in about 7 miles when we reached the Skyland Service area. Along the way, Freckles & Sprite left 3 cans of Bud at the base of a triclking spring coming out of a rock face along the trail. She was sharing her good fortune with others. Dan & Megan would never know who else enjoyed their trail magic? But rest assure, it would be received with many thanks.Upon arriving to the Skyland area, there was a gift shop, restaurant and way too many tourists! We had an enjoyable lunch, Bigglesworth joined us. Afterward, we lounged around in front of the gift shop area and sidewalk.Amid the flow of tourists walking around, we and other hikers were laying in the grass, boots & socks off, just like we were on the trail somewhere. Although I was aware, I responded oblivious to the mixed emotion and looks from the masses of curiosity.Our friend "Powder River" suddenly appearred. It has been 6 weeks since I last saw him in Damascus. A happy reunion took place. Next "Powder" oblivious to everything, sat and spread out some gear and prepared his lunch right on the walkway going into the gift shop. It was hilarious! People walked around him in oddity? In no way did Powder do this to be disruptive, he was just totally in the moment and that's the kind of moment we live for.Later back on the trail, Freckles who had been walking ahead of me, was now walking toward me with a strange look on her face? A Bear had just walked across the path in front of her. She was just a little shook, so we all kept a keener lookout.Not long after, we suddenly came across a big Sow and her cub just a few yards away. We stopped, took pictures and did nothing to provoke them. I was surprised how tolerant Mama Bear was with her cub present? Anywhere else, this may have evoked aggression, but this was the Shenandoah's and human/bear contact was common.Eventually she began to move toward us, it was a polite way to tell us it was time to move on. The trail went up and behind where we encountered them. I took the lead from here. Not wanting to pass up a grand opportunity for a practical joke, I had moved several lengths ahead before suddenly turning around and coming back down the trail with a wide-eyed look on my face.Without so much as a word, I just let everyones imagination take over from there. Needless to say, I got the reactions I was looking for. The momentary looks of horror I will never forget. It is fair to say that the others did not share in the humor in which I was enjoying.I won't repeat some of the comments.Upon reaching the Pinacles, we took a 2-1/2 hour lunch break.Several of us were seated at various picnic tables in a pavillion. A family on vacation asked me many questions about the Journey. The parents were amazed, but it's the look you see in a kids eye, when your stories stir their imaginations and the lure of adventure takes hold of them.Eventually we moved on, we climbed up to Mary's Rock and were rewarded with a 360 degree view of the splendor of the Virgina countryside. It was half tempting to stay and camp here under the stars, but I pressed on.The climb down was extremely painful on my knee. I finished the hike in the dark, setting up my tent near the Pass Mountain Hut. I was too hungry to pass on dinner, so now I'm finished and in the sack at 10:30 p.m.What an eventful day.