6/2/01
Being the first hiker on the trail sure has its rewards. Wildlife was plentiful this morning as the sun broke through and began drying out the wilderness around me. After seeing a couple of deer I almost expected to see a bear soon and six miles into the hike I was justly rewarded. A mother and two young cubs were just off the trail to my right when I began ascending a mountain after passing South River. The sow stood on her hind legs and stared me down from 40 yards away as I watched one of the two cubs shimmy up a large poplar tree in three seconds flat. For some reason I never felt threatened so I enjoyed seeing a rare moment in my life before my eyes. The mother watched me closely as I slowly moved forward down the trail. Meanwhile the other cub played at the base of the tree as his sibling looked down from on high at the entire scene. It was a great thrill and I was so excited to tell someone of the event that I called Red Pepper as soon as I reached a pay phone at the Lewis Mountain campground.
It was time for lunch and I was starving. I quickly ate two ice cream sandwiches and a full bag of potato chips as well as a 20 oz. soda while my 20 oz. dinner was rehydrating. "Priceless" was at the camp store when I arrived. He had mistakenly hiked south from the Hightop Hut and in his frustration road hiked north on Skyline Drive, once he realized the mistake he had made. My legs were tired from big mileage yesterday so it helped tremendously having a hiking partner for the afternoon. Priceless and I were in cruise mode on a mission to get to the Big Meadows camping complex to spend time at the taproom. All of us that had spent the night in the shelter together last night shared a common goal for today . . . the taproom. Our plan was to eat dinner and enjoy cocktails and camaraderie together until closing time at 11 p.m., then night hike together to the Rock Spring hut. Soon after enjoying our first cocktail and a pizza and a hot dog for me, Boot Stew arrived, then Green Light, then Angry Jack and Lollipop and the rest of the gang. We went upstairs for dinner then back to the taproom for more cocktails and the evening entertainment. The fellow who played music did several Irish tunes and many audience participation songs, so we all joined in with the multitude of tourists. Thawookie and Pigpen played a washboard and metal tub for one tune as we all cheered them on. Finally at 11 p.m. our little freight train of nine thru-hikers began the 3.9 mile jaunt through the darkness to the Rock Spring hut. Our hiking caravan included me, Priceless, Will Scarlet, Boot Stew, Lollipop, Angry Jack, Green Light, Phantom, and Pigpen. It took us two hours to reach the Rock Spring hut, but we had a fabulous time singing songs and enjoying the occasional view down to the valley floor below the Shenandoah range. The day will surely be remembered by all of us as one of the most fun and memorable days on the AT journey. In addition, it was a beautiful hiking day and seeing three bears, eight deer, and numerous other wildlife made it that more special. To cap off the night, just after we all settled in the shelter a heavy rainshower hit and lasted well through the night, but we were all dry and happy. Here are today's stats: low 49 degrees, high 65. Cloudy to sunny to cloudy. Three more bears bringing the total to six. Today's mileage; 23.9; cumulative mileage: 907.9.
