Date: 2016-05-24
From: Waynesboro

To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.0

Reached Waynesboro today and decided a zero day was in order even though the sun finally showed itself. Decided I needed a break and chance to clean up, dry out.   The sun a welcome sight. Hope it lasts through my rest and beyond.    Remember how I mentioned that the trail gives you what you need?   And remember the little mouse incident? (Nursing mama chewing through the thick ply layer of my pack liner that keeps everything dry?) Day after this happened, I was walking along and noticed something white sticking out of a notch in a tree. Approached to find a sturdy, new, totally intact thick plastic bag that someone else left behind (a fellow hiker or a trail spirit-doesn't matter!) Totally meant for me. Require it for comfort and safety. Again, you get exactly what you need out here. Can't explain it. Don't really want to analyze it. Just really happy..      There is something hard to explain about being out here. Much as I want sun and distant views, the fog that has been a frequent companion gives a close, spiritual feeling that has no real words. Of course, that "feeling" tends to disappear as I head up another brutal incline in the rain where my cursing overtakes the peace. Such is the walk...these extremes are the experience.   Bears continuing their presence here. Yesterday I had a choice knowing I was coming into Waynesboro for the day. Stopped at a beautiful campsite with breathtaking views (harder to come by lately due to weather conditions as they've been). Anyway, perfect location to camp. 8 miles from tomorrow's destination, easy walk. Another site 3 miles up but either easy mileage to Waynesboro. Anyway, I was alone and my first thought. "If I was a bear, I'd be right here." No water at this campsite, but had plenty anyway. But something told me to walk on. So I did. Shortly down trail, I took a corner. Right in the middle of the trail was this beautiful black bear-my fourth sighting. When it saw me, it was startled and jumped a bit but stayed put and looked right at me. Eyeballing me. I yelled, "Get away bear" (its what the best advice says to do). He didn't move. Yelled again. It looked and sniffed. Hmm-no doubt seeing my heavy pack loaded with easy pickings. Text says I should throw some rocks so, ok, I hand tossed a couple in his direction. Not at his head, don't want to tick him off-just a lob to hit him in the back. He huffed, moved off the trail a little, but not enough for comfortable passage. I don't think I was making him angry at me, but don't think I was scaring him either. He seemed kind of annoyed like "Really? I need to move?"   Anyway, I yelled again and he moved off to a more respectable distance and I was able to UN-comfortably continue. But all the time I'm thinking, "What would I do if he doesn't move out of my way?" There is nothing in the manual about this! Of course, I didn't BARK, which I am also supposed to do if I see a bear. (At least I have that.) They are beautiful, graceful, powerful animals though. Amazed. But I firmly believe that my instinct to move along away from that campsite was good. Don't think a night there alone would have been friendly to me.   Well I did make it to town today. Was greeted on my entry by many familiar faces I thought were far ahead. So nice to see them all. Happy for their company. Looking forward to a comfortable night.    Wondering- about the extremes of this phenomenal place...and the decisions they inspire.