May 27 – “If You Haven’t Seen One Yet, You Will”

Post date: May 28, 2012 3:00:42 AM

"Five Pair" was up early and to the laundry to retrieve the clothes out of the dryer and with that all that was left was a quick trip by the hikers to the grocer and drug store for supplies and then the Trail Angel of the previous day had confirmed availability to take them back to the AT crossing where they were picked up. However, all the plans began running into roadblocks around 9am when the hikers began to realize that it was Sunday and store hours were going to be a problem.

The hikers found themselves in the Trail Angel’s vehicle and headed to the AT when the trip was interrupted by the realization by the Trail Angel that she had left a banana nut bread in her oven… so a quick trip to her home and then, back to the AT.

Around noon the hikers were back on the AT and heading into Shenandoah National Park. Original plan was for the three human hikers and one canine hiker to find a campsite between two "huts" (Shenandoah’s version of shelters). Around 4pm, "Five Pair" contacted Ground Control and advised that the morning after the night before had caught up with "Duke’s Keeper" so somewhere on the AT, "Duke" and his keeper had stopped off for a mid-afternoon siesta.

As "Five Pair" made her way up the AT and being advised that "Pedestrian" had gone on to the hut ahead, "Five Pair" looked for a suitable camping area and ran into "One Speed", a hiker from Apopka, Florida, Mike (trail name in flux) and John (… just John) and the four established camp.

Sixty-three days have passed since "Five Pair" started her journey and other than the first two nights where snorting was heard, no sighting had yet occurred but when a negative response was given to a passing hiking couple to their sighting inquiry to "Five Pair", assurance was given that such status would soon change.

After camp was set up, "Five Pair" saw a deer walk through their camp without a care. Shortly thereafter, the second animal appeared and casually strolled toward the camp. "Five Pair" could now officially check the bear box and after a couple photos, another of the campers scared the bear away with the sound of a shrill whistle.

869.6 miles complete/1,318.8 miles to go