Date: 2009-06-12
From: Big Meadows Lodge

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Phrase of the Day: "Pay it Forward"My evening at the lodge was somewhat relaxing. I had an OK dinner at the lodge. The best part was dessert. Two scoops of blackberry ice cream. Yum, Yum.I ran into Hobbit, Knickers, and Jumar in the parking area. They had just gotten out of an SUV from Waynesboro. I told them to stop by my room when they were done eating dinner. They were rushing in before it closed.   I was on the phone with the SQ when there was a knock at the door. It was Hobbit.They had no where to stay and were going to try to sleep in the lounge at the lodge. I didn't know how realistic that was going to be especially with a dog with them. I told Hobbit that they could stay with me. We would make room.About 10pm - the 3 of them showed up. They both opted to sleep on the floor even though I offered half the bed. Jumar crawled under the bed. The rooms at the lodge are very small. The double bed barely fits in the room. Very rustic looking and feeling. No TV or anything like that. Just a bed, a dresser, and two chairs.   I put all my stuff in the corner and they piled their stuff in the rest of the room. It felt good to be able to do something nice.I slept late for me (6:30) because breakfast wasn't being served until 7:30. I was up and ready to go by 7:15 - left the troops sleeping in the room.When I came back around 8 - they were up and getting ready. I checked out and told them to pull the door closed when they were ready to go.Today, I saw three more bear. 12 sightings so far. Way cool. Lots of deer close to the lodge, but I haven't seen any in the woods since the first day.The trail was brutal today on my feet, but good for my soul.Lots of rocks. Way more than there had been since I entered the park. My pinky toe on my right foot is killing me. Everyday it is a new pain. One stops and another starts up. I hope tomorrow is better.Saw lots of day hikers today. Probably since I am between the two main lodges (Big Meadow and Skyland). I ran into two women yesterday between Lewis Mtn Campground and Big Meadows. Ran into them again last night at dinner and again this morning before breakfast. They were in from Nashville - hiking, backpacking and staying at the lodge. Very cute. One lady was my age and the other had to be late 60's or 70's. They were very friendly and invited me to breakfast, but I needed to get going so I declined.I stopped at the Lewis Mtn Campground yesterday to eat lunch and today I stopped at Pinnacle Picnic Area. It is always a treat to sit down at a table to eat instead of on a log or a rock. While I was sitting today, a couple drove up in an SUV. They are on their way from Penn to Key West. And, were spending the day going to different places looking for hikers. They found me here. They gave me a banana, home made cookies, an ice cold Mtn Dew and a snickers bar. Perfect addition to my lunch.I figured it was a gift because I had let the girls stay with me. Pay it forward so to speak.Prior to that moment, I ran into another couple who were out dayhiking. They asked me if I knew an older couple who was thru hiking. I told them they had to be more specific. Apparently, they had talked to a couple a little earlier and the couple dropped a baggie filled with Ibuprofen. They wanted me to carry it up the trail to give it back to them. I figured whoever lost it would be heading to the next shelter. So, I took the baggie with the hopes of finding them. If not - I would just keep it for myself.I finally caught up with a couple about 1.5 miles from teh shelter. Garage Man and Pound Puppy from Fairbanks.   Sure enough it was their's. They were very grateful and actually took a dose right after I gave it to them.They started the trail on Feb 15th, but the woman had a reaction to some meds and had to leave. They were off the trail for 6 weeks and today was their first day back on.