We had a few drop out (and some add on) prior to the start of our hike today. The reason was the heavy rain overnight and the continued forecast for precipitation this morning. While the morning looked to be wet, it was also quite mild-upper 60s-and for that reason I opted to hike on. Hiking today were Sandy (Duchess, Harley), Buck, Steve Ralph, Gwyn, Jennifer, Nancy, Dottie, JP, Sharon and me.
We all gathered at the Visitor Center amid a very healthy downpour. The Ranger thought we were nuts and advised us that the Park closed at sundown and not to wander off the trail. We were encouraged by his confidence in our abilities!
We adjusted our rain gear and headed out across the parking lot when we heard a distant sound of thunder (or was it ordinance from Camp Peary?). That was enough for Jennifer who decided to wait for us in her van. We continued on to the Backbone Trail listening to Gwyn extoll the wonders of physics, global warming and alternative energy sources and Steve bemoan his noisy upstairs neighbors. Gwyn, Steve, Nancy and I were in the lead with JP and Buck maybe 20 feet or so behind us. The rain was still coming down alternating between a light mist and a steady drizzle when suddenly there was a sharp gust of wind and then a loud "CCCRRRAAACCCKKKK" right behind us. We whirled around to see a large tree hit the ground, falling across the trail just behind our group and right in front of JP and Buck. We stood stunned, transfixed by what had just happened. It appeared to be a dead tree that had just been taken down by the wind, narrowly missing our group. Had the leaders been a few seconds slower or JP and Buck a few seconds faster......
We turned around and headed back to the Visitor Center at that point. The gusting wind now made things clearly unsafe for hiking. Looking around I noticed many dead trees and hanging snags. Another heavy branch fell along the edge of the trail and we quickened our pace!
By the time we reached the parking lot, the rain had stopped and the sun was starting to come out! We decided to do a beach hike instead (away from the bigger trees) and spent the next hour or so following the trail down to the river and walking along the beach. The weather had improved remarkably.
We finished our day around noon amid sunny breezy blue skies! Half of us ate our lunches at the park and the other half opted for a second breakfast at Honey Butters. It turned out to be a pretty good day!
Phyllis