There is a serious thunderstorm blowing in as I write this—let’s hope it blows by quickly! I haven’t tented in the rain for weeks so I am considering myself lucky, though.

D dropped me at the trail at 8:45am and I walked alone through unremarkable but pretty terrain for about 12 miles. Lucky Dog caught me from behind at that point we walked and talked away the next 5 miles, he is slightly older than me, from southern PA and excellent company.

At the 17 mile mark we detoured to Big Meadows, one of the park facilities, for an ice cream, sandwich, and soda, meeting up with Skyline and Sundance there. I left them and walked another 5  miles to Rock Spring Hut, meeting up with Team Champ and a number of section hikers and weekend hikers including George (GA –>ME ’03)

In the morning I was passed by a couple of ultra-marathoners out for a little jaunt. They were trying to run the 105 miles of trail in Shenandoah within 24 hours. 105 MILES IN ONE DAY! And people think I’m nuts!

Saw a beautiful, electric-blue bird too. It had a tuft on head, about 5″ with a sharp yellow beak. Any suggestions? Never run across that one before! [Note: later identified as an indigo bunting.]

The rain’s holding off pretty well so it’s time to get some sleep!