Date: 2014-05-25
From: Bird's Nest #3

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

In which I have the privilege of meeting 5 hikers celebrating the 30th anniversary of their thru hike and a bear crosses the trail right in front of me.I got another late start this morning after a poor night's sleep. The bears were active last night foraging in between and around our tents. I could hear their heavy foot steps crushing leaves and plants as they ambled through. It's always a bit unnerving listening to their foraging knowing that the only thing that separates them and me is the sil nylon of my tent. Good thing my food bag was hung a ways away by the shelter. I'm glad I chose to set up my tent as opposed to sleeping in the shelter as this one is totally wide open in the front by the bear pole.Before I left the shelter a weekend hiker and his wife rolled through. They left us with a chocolate pudding cup which I happily accepted and hiked on up to Mary's Rock to enjoy. It still was early by tourists' standards and no one was on the rocks yet. I enjoyed the view and climbing up on the rocks and the peace and quiet that space provided. I also took many pictures, some to mirror the pictures my daughter sent me a few weeks ago from this spot so I could send them back to her. As we headed down the mountain towards Thorton's Gap a tour bus unloaded and all of them were climbing up to Mary's Rock.The next break came at the parking area for Thorton's Gap were we had the privilege of using indoor plumbing and water fountains. I just have to say that the treated water from a fountain tasted aweful! I dumped that water out when I came to the next water source. Spring and stream water is so much better. That reminds me just how wonderful mountain water tastes.On our way back to the trail I passed some sight seers. An older lady asked me where I was going. First of all, I'm never quite sure how to answer that question. Do people mean where am I going today or in general? So I opted to answer with the goal end which is Maine. She then asks, "Oh, where is that?". In her defense I do believe she was visiting from another country, but I just found that funny. So I proceeded to explain this adventure and was reminded how truly epic this endeavor is! I forget that sometimes. I just get up and walk everyday,have a blast doing that and forget about how far I've really walked.As we walked on to Elkwallow wayside we crossed paths with a group of 5 hikers. They were happy go lucky and seemed to be enjoying themselves which is always great to see. It makes me smile to see other people out here having just as much fun as I feel I am too. So I stopped to talk with them and Murphy did the same. Come to find out they thru hiked together 30 years ago. They were out this weekend to celebrate that and do an anniversary hike which is such an awesome thing 30 years later! I hope to be doing too! As we were talking to them the asked us if we were thru hiking. We said we were, then one of the hikers said, "Yeah, I couldn't tell at first if you were because you didn't smell, but then I looked at your legs (which were very dirty, bruised and cut up) and figured you were". Too funny, the dirt always gives us away! They were doing a thru hiker count for the day and guessing they would see 5 thru hikers. I think we were number 4 and 5 to meet their quota. Also found out who was ahead us and we have seen no other thru hikers yet today, again.Our final pit stop before the shelter was the wayside for the infamous blackberry milkshake. The wayside was crawling with people everywhere. The parking and picnic areas were full and all the picnic tables occupied. I was starving and seeing how it was around 4pm we decided to make this a dinner stop. So not only did I have my blackberry milkshake(after waiting 45 min for it because the ice cream machine was frozen) but also I ate a delicious cheeseburger while sitting on the warm grass in the sun watching the world go by. I have to say it was one of the best burgers I've had on this trip so far. The milkshake was very good also! Next up was a resupply for the 4 days to get us to Harper's Ferry which included 3 pop tart packs, 3 single serve peanut butters, 1 ramen noodle pack, ritz crackers, fig newtons, 4 trail mix bars, 2 clif bars, 1 pack of peanut M&Ms, 2 packs of almonds, one block of sharp cheese and wipes...and a pepsi to back out for breakfast. Hopefully this and what I have left will get me there.Finally, one more climb to the shelter which offered some really nice views of the valley below, which always makes the climbs more palatable. As we were approaching the shelter I turned around to say something to Murphy. In stead of saying what I was going to say the word "bear" came rolling out of my mouth. I was walking first and out of the corner of my eye I see a bear crossing the path right in front of me. We came to a screeching halt and pulled out the cameras taking yet again more blurry pictures from shaking hands. My heart was still racing from the surprise of this bear 10 feet in front of me, #3 for the park. We kept talking and clicking our poles together and slowing, very slowing it sauntered to the other side of the trail. Now, how far to let it pass before we sneak by, that was the next dilemma. The bear returned to grazing about 5 feet to the left of the trail and we walked by a little too close for comfort. Finally we arrive to a shelter brimming full of kids (15-20 of them) out for a 2 week adventure. All the camping areas were taken too so Murphy and I created our own very tight space side by side on many rocks along the side trail to the camping sites. We ate another snack, got water and crawled in our tents for the night. I have happy memories of this shelter from backpacking with my son on a previous trip in which a bear was rolling through this camp at dusk then. So far no bear sightings at this camp...yet.What a great, busy day it's been of taking our time and enjoying the hike through the park today!