Date: 2005-06-06
From: Big Meadows

To: Campsite just past Stony Man Parking Area
Miles today: 10.1

DAY 87When I got up this morning, I noticed Rocky was not in the room. It is unusual for her to be up before me. I found her alone in the lodge dining room writing post card. She seemed to be quite happy this morning. We had breakfast in the Lodge with Sowega, and then he went on his way. Rocky and I still had some chores to do and resupply.The camp store is about a mile away from Big Meadows Lodge. A paved path leads to the store from the Lodge. As I still had some things to do in our cabin, I told Rocky to go on ahead and I would catch up. After I finished my work in the cabin, I took off on a run to catch up with Rocky. As a distance runner, it felt good to be running. That is until after a few hundred feet, I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my right knee. This slowed me to a walk, and has continued to be painful today. We did our resupply at the camp store out of the limited supplies available. Then we walked back to our cabin at the Lodge to finish packing. It was about noon by the time we left our cabin at Big Meadows Lodge. As we hiked I noticed that Rocky was walking fast and faster, as if she was try to get away from me. After we had walked about six miles, I got the impression that she was crying. I asked her, ¢Rocky, what¢s wrong?¢ She had in fact been crying for some time as she walked.We sat down for about 15 minutes to talk it out. Besides the problem with her shoes and feet, she had some complaints about me. She is bothered by my tendency to allow doors to slam, as it brings back some bad memories for her.She was also upset by what she perceived to me my rudeness to Sowega.   I was annoyed that our recent days had been so chaotic and disorganized. She told me she was not an organized person, and if I wanted more organization in ourhike, that wasn¢t going to happen.   I realize that some of her difficulties are due to her problem shoes, and that I have to me more patient. I think we resolved our differences and she continued on the Trail in a better frame of mind. However she desperately needs a Zero Day soon to recover. Two miles later we took the side trail to the Skyland Lodge and Restaurant. We had dinner at the Pub there. We had burgers, sweet potato fries, and a couple of Coors Lites. A great dinner. I am happy that Rocky seemed to enjoy it. Then we walked on. In another two miles we passed Hughes River Gap and the Stony Man Parking Area. It was getting to be time to look for a campsite. About a quarter mile further, Rocky spotted what she thought was a suitable tent site. I was dubious but I went along with her choice. She has had a long, emotional day and I now know enough not to push her beyond her limit. The site was really not big enough for two tents. It was just off the Trail on the edge of a rock cliff. I let her put up her tent first and then set mine up in the space remaining. One corner of my tent is hanging over the edge of the cliff. I have staked the other three corners so my tent won¢t slide over the edge Ordinarily I don¢t stake the corners of my tent, as it is free standingOur tent site is a great place to watch the sunset. It is warm and humid tonight. Inside our tents may be uncomfortable tonight. I pointed out to Rocky that we have been hiking together for 461 miles, which is a little longer that we had hiked separately prior to Damascus. We are still in Virginia after 40 days of hiking together. Perhaps we are both suffering from the ¢Virginia Blues¢. However, I went back to my tent feeling contented that all is well with our Trail partnership. .