Day 84 - Sunday, September 4

Linda

Once again, I couldn't sleep late. My body clock is programmed for early rising, so instead of fighting it, I got up at 6:45 and did some writing. Mom and Dad were coming up this morning so we were waiting to have breakfast until they got there. They had driven up as far as Eagle Eyrie outside of Lynchburg last night, so they didn't have far to come. Mom brought some things for Ronald's birthday and I wrapped them quickly in Randy's tent so they could be presented while everyone was there. Mom had gotten a Kelty belt buckle and some chocolate candy. Also, in response to Ronald's almost constant complaining about the unrelenting rocks we had endured in Pennsylvania, I had called Mom and asked her to get a T-shirt made up with "Pave the AT in Pennsylvania" on the front. I knew he would appreciate the sentiment, and it certainly took him by surprise. It's bright red with navy blue letters, and it turned out to be the conversation piece of the day. I hope we don't insult any conservationists - after all, it is just a joke. Anyway, Ronald put it on immediately, and he looks pretty snappy in it.

About 10:30 we decided we should do something active like take a hike, but there wasn't time before lunch to get very far. We had reservations for 12:00, since Becky and Len had to get back to Richmond early. We figured we could at least manage the nature trail, so we marched over to the amphitheater where it starts. It's really a pretty little trail, but the guidebook is so hokey in all its descriptions, that we spent most of the time laughing and making rude comments about the "wonders of nature" we were seeing. Got back to the Peaks of Otter Lodge just in time for the buffet. It was its usual delicious array of country delights, and we all ate too much, as usual.

Even after totally pigging out, the fathers still wanted to take on Sharp Top, so we agreed to let dinner settle for a while, then give them a run for their money. Said good-bye to Becky and Len and made them promise to write, then started back to the campground. Went very slowly as we were all stuffed. The mothers decided they would rather walk up to Johnson's Farm than tackle Sharp Top, so around 2:30 we all donned hiking boots, etc., and set out on our separate trails. Both fathers started out gung-ho, but it was the afternoon was very hot, and they tired quickly. At one point we were beginning to worry about them, but they made it to the top in good shape. We took in a hazy view, and fought off the bugs for a while before heading back down. Dad decided he's better take the tour bus down, so we went on and left him to wait for the bus. As it turned out, the crowds were so big, he walked down anyway after resting for a bit. Hope the day will inspire them to start trying to get out more.

Randy decided to spend tonight with us again instead of going back to Charlottesville, so that gave us more time to visit. Mom and Dad didn't rush off either, so we had another pleasant evening. They left later in the evening and said they may see us when we get to Damascus. Damascus is all the way over in the western tip of Virginia, and that's a long drive from Richmond, so we aren't expecting them to make the trip, but we'll see as we get closer. After munching a little, we built another fire and sat for the rest of the evening and talked. Ronald wasn't feeling well by then. He said that the last piece of chicken he ate didn't agree with him. So he went to rest for a while. He woke up around 9:30 just long enough to have some Alka-Seltzer poured down his throat, then everyone but Randy went to bed. He stayed up for a while to contemplate the flames. Sure hope Ronald feels better in the morning. It would be awful to be sick the first day back on the trail after a weekend of rest.

Ron

No one was in much of a hurry this morning. When Wally and Carol arrived we had light breakfast of coffee cake and honeydew melon. We did not want to spoil our appetites for the noon feast at the lodge. To kill time, all did the short nature hike behind the ranger before lunch. The lodge at Peaks of Otter puts on a fabulous buffet lunch. I have been looking forward to the buffet for weeks. We all ate too much and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Becky and Len had and engagement back in Richmond, so they left after lunch. Back at camp the dads were feeling a little cocky. They decided to climb Sharp Top (the mountain that overlooks Peaks of Otter). The moms did not feel quite so energetic and opted for a shorter hike to an old settler farm. Randy, Linda and I felt we should at least answer the call to the top. We had to make sure the dads did not get into trouble.

After waiting a suitable time to let out lunch settle and change clothes, we all set out for the summit. The three kids were a little worried that the dads (not being in the best of shape) might overdo it on the climb. They had the good sense to take it easy and we all had a good hike. The views on the top were as excellent as always. Back at camp, cold cups of lemonade were downed to replace the water lost on the hot climb.

One of the highlights of the day occurred this morning. While we were sitting around camp waiting to go to lunch, I was presented with a couple of birthday presents. The first one was a brass Kelty limited edition belt buckle and the second was a special T-shirt. Back in Pennsylvania I came up with a chant to help with the long sections of rock trail. Written on the T-shirt was the saying "Pave the AT in Pennsylvania". Ever since leaving the state I had wanted a shirt expressing my feeling. I had told Linda that I was going to have one made up when we got home. She had it made for me instead.