Well I just got home, here was my route:
http://tinyurl.com/349nfc2
I did get a late start, I left a little after 6pm and after stopping for gas and cash made it to Skyline just in time to see a really glorious sunset.
On Rt. 211 just shy of Sperryville I was running along and saw a small herd of deer on the side of the road. As I approached I slowed down and honked. The biggest one stared me down and at the last minute bolted directly out in front of me, luckily I was covering the brakes and easily swerved around her. I looked across the highway and an oncoming car had also slowed and both passengers gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up.
I ran down to Lewis Mountain Campground as I had called earlier and had been assured it was never full. After three loops, it was full. It was now just past 9pm and getting really dark out so I headed north 7 miles back to Big Meadow dodging deer along the way. I wanted to stop at one of the many pullouts as it was a clear night and the lights in the valley below were gorgeous, but I didn't want to miss a last site to another straggler.
I pulled in to the Big Meadows ranger station and they couldn't have been nicer. I swear of all the Government employees I have ever come across National Park Rangers are by a long shot the most gracious, helpful and if I must say, underpaid
Though they were sold out there was one spot (E185), apparently one of the most sought after as it overlooks the valley and the Appalachian Trail, that had been reserved but the people never showed. I snatched it right up and though they didn't have a spare mantle for my lantern they lent me a big electric lantern that worked great.
I got to the spot in total darkness and set about trying to put up the tent. It is not a whole lot of fun putting up a tent for the first time in the dark with rain drops portending a coming storm. I did manage easily after I figured out the whole thing is color-coordinated! I got everything inside the tent, cooked up a quick dinner, had a cup of the Starbucks Via instant decaf (not bad!) and a "damn this is peaceful and relaxing" cigar, then hit the tent for sleep.
And not too soon, it stormed a bit with heavy winds and rain, then just as quickly it passed and thankfully cooled off quite a bit. I drifted off and had a great sleep even with the loud hoot owl blasting out it's three-hoot call all night long.
This morning I got up early as the sun was coming up and remembered a great old trick - it is much easier to roll up a tent on a picnic table than on the ground!
I headed out and had Skyline Drive mostly to myself. At one point a big Tom Turkey ran out in front of me and as I slowed I saw a wallet sitting in the middle of the road. I retrieved it - it belonged to Rodney C. from New Market, a WWII Vet. As it was early (6am) there was no-one about so I carried it with me to the north entrance where I turned it in to the Ranger there. I made my way to Front Royal where I had a coffee and muffin at the Daily Grind inde coffee shop, then ran east on Rt. 55 to one of my favorite stretches of road - Leed's Manor followed up by Blue Ridge Mountain Road. Blue Ridge Mountain road is an interesting one, it is lined with expansive estates ($$$$$) and right in the middle is the Mt. Weather EAC (aka one of many emergency White Houses). You can no longer see anything since they have re-routed the road around the facility, but it used to be quite a sight.
From there I hit Rt. 7, then the Greenway ($4.15 - you have to be kidding!) then I-66 and home.
All around a great little micro-camping trip. Next time I will remember Bourbon and spare lantern mantles
PS - I called Rodney to make sure he knew his wallet had been turned in, what a nice guy! He as just about to leave to go retrieve it from Park HQ. He did mention, "they said all the cash is there, maybe there is hope for the world after all (there was several hundred in there) -- LoL.
Ted V 
