I’m back at Jerrie & Jerry’s place in Wintergreen after another pick up from my bro. Today was hurried, trying to get as many miles as possible by our planned 6pm pickup to lighten the load over the weekend. That is the only downside of meeting family & friends on the trail. Timing the miles is tough because there are only so many good meeting points.

The hike was exciting—I saw my first bear of the trip! Actually my first 3, since it was a mother with two cubs. They were 50 feet from the trail, slowly walking the same direction I was, looking up occasionally and remaining largely disguised behind fallen trees. I was hiking with a cool guy that I’d met before lunch. Hal’s a senior in college hiking his way through the park. We stopped to get some pictures (mine really don’t show the bears) and then walked on, watching them for a few hundred feet.

Walking and talking with Hal for 8 miles was really enjoyable. I also saw a bunch of deer, but that’s a given in Shenandoah!

My brother’s been great, picking me up, and driving me up to 1½ hours away. He greeted me with a cold Coke – that’s always a way to thrill a hiker! Jerrie, with the help of David, Cic, and Opal, cooked up another masterpiece. Tender pork, perfectly cooked shrimp, some amazing potatoes au gratin, broccoli and fresh bread and salad followed by espresso and strawberry shortcake. YUM! It was a late night though with bedtime at 11:30pm and a 6am wake up.