Date: 2018-07-14
From: Blackrock Gap

To: Rockfish Gap 
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We were up early to catch our shuttle into the Shenandoah National Park. Hugs and I plan to be dropped off 20 miles into the park then hike southbound back to Rockfish Gap. But first things first...it was time to say goodbye to Big Kahuna. A quick hug and best wishes were given before we had to get in the shuttle. No time for tears today, but we¢ve all shed plenty over his sudden departure. If he can, he¢ll be back in a few weeks.  So there we were, just me and Hugs starting our day. It was really strange at first without Big Kahuna, but soon we got our groove and started UP. I¢ve been really good on the UPs lately. So I just knocked it out. Hugs wasn¢t far behind. A small group of deer crossed the path in front of me and headed down to my left. I very clearly saw two of them. Still no Bucks! Does anybody know why I¢ve never seen a Buck?  I stopped for a potty break so Hugs took the lead for a while. She had her eyes wide open today.  She spied a moth. The most unique moth I¢ve ever seen! It looks exactly like a leaf, but it¢s definitely a moth with a body, legs, and wings that look like a leaf.  The trail crossed through or by many parking lots today. I¢m sure that¢s because we are hiking through a national park. So the first parking lot we came to past the moth was our lunch break location. We had already covered almost 8 miles by then. Wow! We were flying! From the parking lot we crossed a road before heading back up into the mountains. From the road there was a breathtaking view of the Shenandoah Mountains! We both walked over to take it all in for a minute.  Once we finally crossed the road and started UP, we got a little concerned about water. Water has been scarce for a while. I guess that¢s summertime on the trail. There was a shelter about 4 miles up with a piped spring near it. So we started our biggest climb with 4 miles to go just to get to water! This is Calf Mountain at 2895ft elevation. Today was our lucky day! About three miles up we happened upon Pelican & Clifty. They were collecting water at a surprise spring. This made our day! We talked a good 10 minutes as we collected and filtered our water. We said our goodbyes and Pelican & Clifty continued northbound. We continued South.  We passed several Crab Apple trees after we had gotten water. That¢s the first time I¢ve seen them on the trail. There were also raspberries today. I tried one that looked ripe, but it was super tart.  No more berries for me today.  It was getting close to the end of the day and I started picking up my pace. I met a NOBO who was on the phone somewhat in a panic over a standoff she had just experienced with a rattler. She warned us of its location, but we never saw a thing.  The final 3.7 miles of the trail became rocky.  My feet and hips started talking to me. I came to an area near a cell tower where 4 or 5 tractor seats had been placed into the ground. I could actually sit in them. Hugs said it looks like that area was a playground at some time. She sat in one too.   Hugs took the lead from there. I followed her right on out to a road. We walked down it a little ways and could see a gourmet popcorn stand. That would be the ending to our 20 mile hike. They had Chicago Mix and I was so excited to get it, but it wasn¢t Garrett¢s, and I was so disappointed. I ate a hot dog and waited for the shuttle. Tomorrow morning I will leave Stanimals. Hugs and I will have our full packs walking northbound together. We can do this!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?