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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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2nd June 2002 From:
Big Meadows Last night I listened to "The Old Hits" on the radio until about 10:00 P.M., and then sleep came early. About 1:00 A.M. I was woken by loud snorting and stamping; it was a buck (male deer) challenging 'Real' and myself, as we were in his territory. He was making a real commotion and it must have gone for 30 minutes or so. 'Real' and I hit the trail together at 6:30 A.M. Today the trail would prove to be rocky all day. Early on, it look like it would rain, but it held off. We reached The Skyland Restaurant at 10:25 A.M., just five minutes before they stopped serving breakfast. We both had omelets and toast. Shortly after we sat down, 'Three Day' and 'Zac' turned up and asked for drinks - cold tea and coke. The waitress said okay. They then asked if refills were free, and you should have seen their faces when the waitress said yes. Our next planned stop for the day was Panorama at Thornton Gap. My guidebook said they served pizza and hamburgers there. When we got there at 4:30 P.M., we found that the restaurant closed some time ago, however, we could still purchase cold drinks and potato chips, which we did. We sat down outside to eat and relax - people were coming and going to the store, as it sold souvenirs as well as cold drinks. Two people came up to us and asked if we were thru-hikers. They introduced themselves as 'Smurf' and 'Baby Steps', 2002 thru-hikers, who had to leave the trail for two weeks due to a family problem. They had just been down to one of the trail crossings giving out some trail magic. They went to their car and brought back a large cooler full of beer, sodas, jellies, cakes, and other goodies. Boy, were we happy! In the next ten minutes another eight hikers came out of the woods and joined the party. In another day we will leave The Shenandoah National Park and the seemingly endless restaurants and food stores; our hiking days will return to normal, i.e. load up with five days food and go into the forest! I'm staying by the shelter tonight, but I'm in my tent. With me here are: 'Real', 'Snowmaker', 'Sunny Dee', 'Lambkins', 'Gear Girl', 'Sidewinder', and 'Three Day'. It's been a great day - good weather and good hiking. With that, I'll
close and say goodnight all. |
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