Day five was exhilarating and filled with new experiences. There were a few hiccups, but overall it was GREAT. We woke up super early and tried to quietly get ready for the day. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am the WORST at being quiet! I slowly got my act together while Jeff took off.
We had plans to meet at the summit of High Top Mountain (Elevation 3514 feet) for breakfast (we like to break camp and walk a while before we stop to have breakfast together.) It started storming shortly after Jeff left, with lightning off in the far distance. That got my behind into gear! We quickly left the shelter with all our rain gear on. It rained, but not terribly hard or for long. We found Jeff on top of the mountain! He told us he liked watching the storm and fog roll over the mountains. We told him that the next time a storm rolls in he should get down off the mountain and meet us at the closest gap or safe place (especially considering he has already been struck by lightning - through a tree at BoyScout camp - once!!)
We had a happy day of hiking and walked into the middle of the Shenandoah section at Swift Run Gap. Eight miles later, we arrived at the Lewis Camp Store, which just happened to open the day we arrived! When I strolled up to the camp store Robby, Jeff, and the White Walkers were lounging on the front porch.
We sat for about an hour and waited for the showers to open while the White Walkers headed to Bearfence Hut (the first shelter Robby and I stayed in while on our Shakedown in March). The showers were super hot, felt wonderful, and only cost $1 dollar for five minutes. I naturally took a 10-minute shower and then washed my clothes in the sink. You have no idea how happy I was to put on fresh clothes and smell less oniony.
We finished our visit to the camp store shopping for some necessities. We couldn't resist two packages of hotdogs and buns. I am a sucker for roller dogs, especially over the fire. Also, sitting on the newly stocked store shelf, was a sparkling can of chilidog sauce! I lightweight started dancing!!! We wanted to buy the supplies for s'mores too, but stopped ourselves.
As always, Jeff had his pack together before us and took off for Bearfence Hut. As soon as we got packed up the lady who worked at the store told us, "A storm is a brewin', I just saw lightnin’.’’
Robby and I took off in our crocks. I had my boots swaying off the back of my pack and all of my rain gear hanging off my bag. I also had a bag of chips and a pack of hotdog buns in one hand and my walking sticks in the other hand. Also, while it's awesome to resupply, it makes the pack much heavier. To top off the situation, in the rush to get to the shelter (which was only one mile away), I forgot to buckle my hip belt. This made all of my pack weight fall on my shoulders.
It started to rain hard and we heard thunder. We took off down the side of the mountain. As you might expect, I slipped on a rock and sprained my ankle! I landed straight on my pack, like a ninja turtle stuck on its shell! I lie there thinking, "Really? Really?" And then the laughter started. I was laughing so hard as I struggled to get up off my pack. I learned a valuable lesson. Don't hike in unstable shoes with full hands!
When Robby realized I wasn't behind him he waited until I limped down the trail (looking like a sad, wet puppy dog.) We laughed and got to where we were going safety.
When we got to the shelter I was shocked that Jeff hadn't beat us. We did take a shorter route across the campground, but I still thought Jeff would make it to the shelter first. Five minutes later Jeff came barreling down the mountain and told us he got turned around!
Our night ended with a huge blazing fire and we roasted our hotdogs with the White Walkers. I've learned that birch bark is a good fire starter. I am pretty jacked about my growing fire skills. I have a nice little bundle in my pack from a tree we were burning. Robby and I were saying we would like to learn primitive fire making skills.
This journey just gets better and better!
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