Date: 2008-06-10
From: Lewis Mtn Campground, Shenandoah National Park, VA

To: Skyland, Shenandoah National Park, VA
Miles today: 16.8

I woke up at 5am and had a couple little fruit pies for first breakfast.I wanted to get an early start so I could have second breakfast....a good sit-down breakfast, at Big Meadows.I was packed up and walking north on the Appalachian Trail at 5:40am.I did wake up sometime earlier than 5am and heard an owl that wasn't too far away.I could lie in my sleeping bag all night listening to owls or loons and be a happy camper. :-)I passed by Bearfence Hut sidetrail without stopping, then climbed up to the summit of Bearfence Mountain on a pretty rocky piece of trail.I was just walking slowly and enjoying the morning. I tried getting a picture of the sun coming up, but never got in a clear enough area for a picture.I descended to Bootens Gap, then made a 700 foot climb up the next bump called Hazeltop.I kept walking slowly and was really enjoying the quiet morning....walked down to Milam Gap, past Tanners Cemetery and climbed up to Black Rock.There was a doe in the trail ahead and as I got closer, she hopped off the Trail a little and stopped. I got a picture and talked to her some.She just stood there and listened...tilting her ears all around making sure nothing was going to sneak up on her. :-)There were quite a few birds singing this morning, but haven't heard much else.I got a couple pictures from an overlook just before Big Meadows Lodge, then finished walking to the dining room. I got there at 8:50am and had 9 miles done already.I went into the dining room and sat down. I saw Brown Bag, forecast and Aggie and a few others, but they all looked like they were just finishing breakfast.I had a good waiter because he kept my coffee cup full...and I had a good breakfast...eggs over easy, country ham, homefries, rye toast and a toasted bagel with cream cheese. :-)Lance stopped by and said hello before he left.Another guy came in and was seated by the window. When he spotted me, he came over and said we had met in '04 at Trail Days. His name was Pa Man and he's been doing a section here in Shenandoah.We talked for quite a while....while I was eating my breakfast and he was waiting on his.He said that next time I saw Liteshoe to say hello for him...and that he'd like his nickel back.I asked what he meant by that and he said he bought her book and she never gave him his change.I told Pa Man to get in line! She still owes me change for about four books I've bought from her for friends of mine.Dang Liteshoe....she really has a racket going!I would love to hear from anyone else who didn't get their change back from Jan when they bought her book. Maybe if enough of us confronted her, we'd get our money back...in fact, I'll sell my book for cheap!It's got an inscription on the inside of the front cover though that says; "Stumpy, The most handsome and bestest hiker I've ever met". (or something close to that) ;-)I kept wondering when the waiter was going to bring my check.I finally asked him and he said it's already been paid by Pa Man.Dang Pa Man...you didn't have to do that....but thanks! It was great talking to you and good luck on your future hikes. (I'll try and get your change back from Liteshoe next time I see her) :-)I was getting water just before I left Big Meadows and saw a hiker I hadn't met before. I went over and talked to him and found out his name is Rabbit.It was 10:15am when I left Big Meadows and headed north towards Skyland...where I planned on eating lunch and getting a room for the night.I walked real close to two deer just north of Big Meadows.I got to Fisher's Gap and saw Duncan talking to someone on his cell phone. I told him just how much that bothered me as I walked by, then smiled. Ha! :-)I saw what looked to be a black snake. The little bugger was only about 6 inches long and no more than 1/8 inch in diameter. He crawled off under a rock pretty fast as I walked by.I walked by the sidetrail to Rock Springs Hut without stopping, then finished the 700 foot climb up to the summit of Hawksbill Mountain.I came up to a nice little spring a couple miles south of Skyland and stopped and drank about a liter of the cold water. Nothing tastes better than cold mountain spring water!Rabbit caught up to me about a mile before Skyland. We walked the last mile together and saw a really nice little black bear cross in front of us.He was only about 65 to 75 pounds and had a playful little jaunt as he ran off.I can't believe that he's the first bear I've seen on this year's walk.Rabbit and I walked into Skyland. Bear Puncher joined us and Bus Driver, Southpaw (who I just met), Bilge Rat, Sunbeam, Zack and Barackus (another one I just met) and Forecast and Aggie joined us about 5 minutes later.I walked over to lodging and got a room.I walked into the room and someone had left the air conditioner on and set at 60 degrees...it felt great! :-)I saw a deer mama and a deer baby fawn just outside my room. I got a picture of them...it should be posted in today's photos.I had stayed at Big Meadows before. The reason I decided to stay here tonight was to try and experience everything I can along the AT.I realized when I walked down to the rooms that overlook of the valley below and the distant mountains that I've already stayed here once before. Oh well. ;-)I got ready to take my shower and found a small tick on my upper leg.I got out a cotton swab and put a little soap on the end, then swirled it around the nasty little bugger and pretty soon he let go.That's the best way by far that I've learned to get ticks off that have already attached themselves to you. (Thanks for showing me how Mrs Moosie) :-)I walked up to the lodge to have dinner about 6pm. I saw Gator, so I went and sat at his table and ordered roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans and cranberry sauce.We sat there about an hour talking and eating. I ordered a Shenandoah Sundae, but they were out of vanilla and I didn't want it made with chocolate ice cream, so I saved a few dollars.There were some cloggers doing the clogging thing in the bar, so I watched then for a while, then headed back to my room for the evening.This was another one of the great days spent along the Appalachian Trail. :-)