Date: 2018-06-29
From: Pass Moutain Hut

To: US 522, Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 26.5

The weekend was all lined-up for some wonderful rest and relaxation. All I had to do was hike my biggest day ever, 26.5 miles! The Shanendoahs are hiker-friendly terrain and I'd be hiking into a town. Remember, hiking into town usually ends with a downhill and this was no different. The last 10 miles went from 3,400 feet elevation down to about 1,000. Add in I'd be getting picked-up at the trailhead by my long time friend Mike U. and anticipation of town luxuries, it was certainly doable.My hike began at 7:40 AM. I could have started sooner but Mike said he'd be getting into town late so there was originally no rush. About two hours into hiking I came across two small bears on the trail. Since I had a video the day before, I snapped a photo and then made noise to get them to clear the trail. Both headed uphill to the right and I only seen one as I walked through the area. They were small enough that momma bear could have been nearby but there was no indication she was.I continued down the trail about 200 yards. At this point Sky Line Drive was uphill to my right about 50 to 75 yards. I heard a noise up the hill that was clearly loud enough to be a bear but I didn't see anything. As I continued to hike the noise moved uphill so I wasn't concerned. Then when the noise was directly to my right it got crazy. All of a sudden it sounded as though a boulder was coming down the hill at me. And I heard what was surely a bear's grunt. I started to run as my heart pounded and remembered that is not what you do when a black bear charges you. I stopped about 15 to 20 feet down the trail and turned around fully expecting the bear to appear on the trail. It did not. I really wanted to go back to see it. But if it was momma bear I'd be foolish to do so. And, by the behavior of this bear, it was either spooked by a vehicle on the road or not happy with my proximity to it. I wised-up and decided it was best to just move on down the trail.Today I came across a hiker overhearing my conversation with another and he said he remembers me from the day I cracked my molar in half. I thought he looked familiar but since we have beards now I wasn't sure. I remember asking his group if anyone had a toothpick. He said I was one tenacious S.O.B. for coming back after my tooth issues. He's now known as trail name Ages.A text arrived from Mike saying he was going to be early. Now I was getting really excited! With only six miles to go the terrain was flat and a wide path. I began jogging at every opportunity for the next three miles. I did that stretch quickly. The last three miles turned to a rocky downhill so I couldn't jog that portion. Mike hiked up the trail about a mile to meet me. When I seen him up a slight incline leaning on a fallen tree, it was all I could do to keep the tears back. I'd done over 900 miles since I'd seen any family or friends. Mike said he met a guy at the trailhead doing trail magic. By the description I knew it was Joe Camo, the former hiker I'd met at the campground a couple days earlier doing trail magic. Mike and Joe Camo had an interaction that left Mike suspicious. I assured Mike it was just the eagerness of the trail angels to help in every way they can.That night Mike and I went to Applebees for dinner. I had the 2 entrees for $20 deal. With all the running I did today, I needed it and it went down quick! For book followers, mile 970.8 page 94.