Had lightning and thunder overnight,  but the rain stayed to the north. The morning was a bit overcast,  but I did find a decent view early on.

There were deer tracks all over the trail in the morning and eventually I ran into one.

I stopped for lunch at a campground store near the trail.  Everyone was talking about the weather,  saying it might reach a record high of 94 degrees.  All I know,  is that it was 82 in the shade when I ate lunch and it was hot/humid enough for me.

I met a husband and wife that had just finished a run through the woods. We ate lunch on a bench outside the store and talked about the trail.  They also offered me one of their hard ciders!

After lunch, it was back to the trail.  Still had a good distance to go,  to made it to the wayside for dinner (hiking the Shenandoah’s, sure is hard!)

I made it to the Big Meadows wayside in time for dinner and loaded up on fried chicken,  fries,  corn and blackberry cobbler for dessert.

Outside was a monument to the Civilian Consecration Corps.

After dinner, I still had about three miles to get to my camping spot for the night.

Along the way,  I passed an actual campground just a few feet off the trail. A couple with truck camper yelled down and asked if I was thru hiking and invited me up for a beer.

So I sat by the fire for a bit talking with them about the trail and throwing a Frisbee to their dog.

It was starting to get dark and still had a couple miles to go,  so I thanked them for the beer and got up to leave.  Before I left though,  they have gave me a banana and a couple granola bars! Thanks again!

I have run into some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet, while out here on the trail.

On the way back down the trail,  I passed an outlook with a great view of the sunset, before making out to my spot for the night.