June 29 Mile 918

Today we got a special treat. A fraternity brother, who actually attended UVA after me,  Jack Berry, is with the Potomac AT Club, a very professional group, reserved for us Rock Spring Cabin, right off the trail with a gorgeous view of the valley below, probably 2000 feet down and with a sunset view. The cabin is a real building with four walls made in the 1930s with chestnut logs and a stone floor and outside fireplace and inside woodstove. Jack has done alot of work on the cabin as well, rebuilding the stone outside floor. No electricity, but no need for it. And it's own private privy and great spring nearby, but you need to treat your water.
As we were hiking to the cabin, we stopped at a Skyline Drive pullout so I could rub my sore foot and who drives up but Jack! What a coincidence, and we are about 6 miles from his cabin. He then slack packs us the  rest of the way. On the way we pass Big Meadows Lodge on the AT and Cisco takes a break there to watch a World Cup game. I continued on and looked back over my shoulder and saw the Lodge thru the trees. It was an odd sight to see a motel on the trail after all this time in the woods. Like to stay there sometime. Hiked  by the campground and saw all these folks who drive right up to their campsites- you can imagine the RVs and other vehicles- plus the accessories people put up due to the 4th of July week. Lots of red white and blue decorations, and tiki torches. After hiking with the bare essentials, it was a little disconcerting, not bad, but a little strange to see all the stuff making a home away from home.
We were now hiking in the top third of the Shenandoah Park and it is quite pretty here now: overlooks, forests, the trail itself- very nice.
Got to Jack's place by early afternoon, he had brought our packs down from his car- very nice cause it was aways to tote them. And he made us a perfect meal: he brought a Coleman stove and cooked us steaks, green beans, brought potato salad, and Green Salad! And pecan pie for dessert! We ate on the cabin front porch and looked out on the valley below. We talked about the trail. It was a beautiful afternoon and evening. Many, many thanks to Jack for such an enjoyable evening!
The cabin can be rented by anyone for only $25 per night. That's the whole cabin, not per person. I definitely want to return there with my Sweety and return the favor to Jack.
Darkness came and we went to bed in comfortable bunks with matresses. Very pleasant day on the trail!



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