Sunday, June 30, 2013
June 24 (Day 97) - Rock Spring Hut to Luray, VA
Though I was suffering a bit of a hangover, I pulled myself together and began hiking around 8:30 AM. Shortly thereafter, I encountered another black bear in the middle of the trail. I thought that I'd snap a photo with my phone, but the bear was apparently averse to having its picture taken. It charged toward me, and I found myself backpedaling, waving my trekking poles and singing Uke's bear deterrent song:
"Go away, bear. I ain't got time for you, bear."
I hitched a ride into Luray, intent upon securing a mail drop, eating lunch, and returning directly to the trail. However, as I sat outside Dollar General, G Money (aka Sweet Cheeks) and Gandolf walked by me. I called to them and waved. Then, the two joined me, and we sat, conversing, for a few hours.
As it grew late in the day, the three of us decided to split a room at the Best Western in Luray. Gandolf and I were particularly pleased that the hotel had On Demand...for free. Beers in hand, we watched Game of Thrones until the wee hours of the morning.
June 20 (Day 94) - Waynesboro, VA to Random Campsite
This morning, I was the last to rise, an odd occurrence. We broke camp and rode with Miss Janet to a diner called Weasie's. Then, after a hearty breakfast, we all headed to the outfitter.
Uncle Buck and Stretch prepared their kayaks and left our company at the outfitter, as they were headed to aqua-blaze Shenandoah. It was difficult to see Stretch leaving the group; I've grown quite fond of her company. Less the two, Miss Janet drove the rest of us to the trailhead, where we began hiking.
As the day progressed, I fell behind Siren, Odie, and Jungle Jim. My ankle and arch were sore, and I didn't want to risk further injury. Roughly eight miles from the trailhead, I came upon a suitable campsite and stopped for the day.
June 29 (Day 99) - Elkwallow Wayside to Tom Floyd Wayside
G Money (aka Sweet Cheeks) and I awoke rather early and made our way back to the wayside. We ate breakfast and washed in the bathroom. Tarrying a bit, we socialized with other hikers about the events of the previous night, particularly the behavior of the park ranger. Although I didn't partake, Memphis made man-mosas (beer and orange juice), and they seemed rather interesting. Eventually, we made our way back to the trail.
After hiking for some time , we met Coonskin and his girlfriend, Patch. Coonskin was a SoBo hiker in 2012, and today was Patch's first experience with hiking. We all sat for a while, chatting and exchanging stories. Then, we made our way to Gravel Springs Hut.
At Gravel Springs Hut, we encountered the same ridge runner from our experience at Rock Spring Hut. She was cordial and exchanged pleasantries with us, but shortly after she departed, two park SUVs descended the fire road. Three rangers exited the vehicles, clutching their guns. Sufficed to say, it was rather unnerving, as we did not know why they were there.
The rangers surrounded us, and I immediately recognized one from the night before. Clearly, he also recognized me, as well, because he addressed me first. Apparently, the ridge runner had caught another hiker, Step Up, bathing naked in a stream. The rangers spoke with him, but I couldn't shake the feeling that we were all in some sort of trouble. The rangers remained around us, and as they spoke with Step Up, I got the impression that we were all being detained.
Before their departure, the rangers performed a permit check. And, as Stuart Curtain, the overly officious ranger from the previous night, walked away I could hear him ask another ranger, "Did you see anything else?"
Convinced that the park had become a rather unfriendly environment, at least for thru-hikers, we all resolved to exit Shenandoah by nightfall. G Money (aka Sweet Cheeks) and I made camp near the Tom Floyd Wayside, actually a shelter and just outside the park boundary.
June 28 (Day 98) - Random Campsite to Elkwallow Wayside
Today was a rather unambitious day. G Money (aka Sweet Cheeks) and I only hiked a few miles and came to rest at the Elkwallow Wayside. What was meant to be a brief stop for lunch turned into an all day affair.
Shortly after lunch, we met up with Mad Dog and Snakebite and sat, conversing while our phones charged. Dark clouds moved overhead, and a light rain began to fall. Not wanting to set out in the rain, we purchased some beverages of the alcoholic persuasion and continued to socialize.
Unfortunately, the day was marked by looming clouds and intermittent rain. Soon the afternoon turned to evening, and we were still at the wayside, when Memphis and Buttercup arrived. So...we all came to peace with the fact that hiking further wasn't in the cards. We purchased more beverages and made a party of it.
I don't think a passing ranger was pleased with our little soiree. He stopped and performed a permit check on every thru-hiker present. We weren't breaking any rules, but I got the distinct impression that we weren't altogether welcome.
As night fell, G Money (aka Sweet Cheeks) and I wandered down a blue blaze trail to find a tent pad. Meanwhile, back at the wayside, the ranger had returned...with a vengeance. From what I understand, he commanded that everyone clear out, demonstrating a particular disdain for thru-hikers. He allegedly stated that the group was bound to break the rules and that everyone needed to disperse before it happened.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
June 27 (Day 97) - Luray, VA to Random Campsite
Determined to leave town, Gandolf, G Money (aka Sweet Cheeks), and I packed expeditiously. Yet again, we saw dark clouds; ducking into Uncle Buck's, we waited out the rain and filled our stomachs. Then, we caught a ride to the trailhead with the owner of Uncle Buck's.
At the Panorama, we stayed beneath the cover of the bathroom area, since it continued to rain. I boiled water for coffee, and we played with a frisbee. Gandolf eventually hiked ahead, but G Money and I tarried, hoping the rain would stop completely.
Venturing into the mist and light rain, G Money and I found a suitable campsite, a few miles from the trailhead.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
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