The Sprout (Robby) Day Two

We got up early today but it took us a little longer than expected to get on the trail. Rambler came over as soon as we got up and we ended up talking to him for a little bit. We were on the trail hiking around 9. We went 13 miles today!

Map in Mrs. Davison's class room following the adventures of the Three Amigos!

Last night Maggie and I woke up around 12 -1 to go use the restroom.  We got out our headlamps and had to walk a little ways past the spring down the mountain a little.  When you’re the only one out in the middle of the night, in the middle of the woods, the trees make some weird noises! The wind was howling through the valleys and making all sorts of noises. It was nice to look up at the stars on the way back.  I really want to take the time while we're out here to listen to the sounds of Mother Nature.  Last night I was so tired but it just felt so good laying in the tent listening to the wind blow through the trees and mountains. Even though the walk to use the restroom was a little eerie I am even thankful for those sounds too. It's all so new and I love it.

One thing I've noticed is some of the really big trees. You can tell they have been here for a long time because they look so old. It'll be cool to start back in July and see what this area looks like fully blossomed.  They call the Shenadoahs, the green tunnel, but right now you can see through all of the branches.  It's a beautiful site to see when you peak through some of the trees and see small towns below.

I've often wondered how someone could do this hike alone.  I feel lucky to have two other hikers with me, but I'm starting to understand why a person would walk alone.  Some people come out here for healing and sometimes you need to go through the healing process alone.  Ox is in the shelter with us tonight and he was telling us he has thought about those five soldiers a lot while he has been out here and has cried plenty of times over it but that's just part of the healing process. Yesterday he told us how he will sometimes be walking alone and start smiling.  Then that smile turns into laughter. He said it feels good to be able to make yourself laugh and feel good. I thought that was a powerful message. It's a beautiful thing to be happy and to feel good inside.

Bubbles at the Black Rock Hut

I feel so lucky to have such wonderful hiking partners Maggie and Jeff.  We're the three best friends out here.  I also feel lucky to have met the people I already have and it's only the second day!  Today we met a guy named Jason.  He was from the area doing a week or so hike.  Jason just recently lost 180 pounds and had a kidney transplant.  He was so happy to be out on the trail walking around.  He said his overall health is so much better after his weight loss.  He was on his first 20 mile day and I'm glad we could be a part of it!  It's funny how you run into certain people at the right time.  I think we all were getting a little tired at this point and Jason's message kind of gave us a little motivation.  You never know who you will run into out here or when and everyone has a different story. I'm going to try to get to know as many people as I can.

Baba Ganoush Filtering Our Water

Jeff saw two deer today add that to the animal list.  Poppa lip wants to know how many animals we see and how many different kinds.

There are two dads with their sons at the shelter tonight.  They are earning the 50 mile badge for boy scouts!  Pretty cool.  They saw a black bear earlier! I’m not too worried about the bears right now.  If they show up they show up!  I'll just yell at them.  Hahaha!  They're supposed to be afraid of you, I guess.  One thing I didn’t think of when I was at home was after I've walked 13 miles I don't care what comes up to my tent, I'm not moving!  Haha! I claimed this spot for the night so get lost bear!!

With that said, I have claimed my spot here in Black Rock Hut for the night.  We didn't set up our tents.  We are just sleeping in the hut in our sleeping bags.  Jeff, Maggie, and I are in one corner, Ox in the other corner, two kids up top, and their dads have set up hammocks. We have another 13 mile day tomorrow so we're getting up at 5. I better get some rest! I think it's supposed to rain tomorrow so maybe we will see how well our rain gear works!

Happy trails!!

Day:  2

Miles hiked:  13.2

Miles off trail to shelter:  0

Total Miles hiked on the trail:  21.2

Blisters:  0

Real Bears:   0

Deer: 2