June 11, 2004

I have hiked 856.4 miles to date.  Twenty miles today from Reed's Gap to Rockfish Gap, VA.  Today's hike was eventful, particularly for Bear.  As I was hiking about 10 miles into my day, I spotted Bear hiking towards me. He was thrilled to have seen his first bear and wanted to share his excitement with me. "After all," he said, "my trailname is Bear."  Bear hiked on adrenaline for many miles.  I was happy for him.

We hiked over Humpback Mountain which was a steep rock climb and enjoyed the view with a father-son team from Nashville, TN named Snail and Lo-Di-Do, respectively.  As we pressed on to complete our day's mileage, Bear hollered at me.  As I hustled to find out what was up, he showed me where he just saw a mother bear and her cub.  We hiked on hurriedly because we did not want to endanger ourselves by getting between the mother and her cub.  Bear saw three bears today!  Those sightings reminded me we are in the forest....their forest.  As we completed our final five miles, it stormed.  I rather enjoyed the rain this time.  It cooled me off and I was hiking into town for two days of rest. 

As I approached the trailhead, Bear had Yogi-ed a ride into Waynesboro, VA for the two of us.  It was pouring and very kind of Bear to allow me to sit inside the truck while he rode in the back....getting drenched.  My feet ache, I have blisters from hiking in the rain, and I am worn out.  As I consumed an entire ham and cheese pizza, I tuned on former President Reagan's funeral....a somber, yet regal goodbye to a great leader.