July 12-13, 2021

Hiking to Rapidan Camp and Big Meadow Lodge – A chance encounter – Evening statistics

Yesterday I was fairly inactive, other than dealing with details connected with my mother’s transfer from an independent-living apartment to an assisted-living one.  Today, however, I went out with the Vigorous Hikers, starting from Syria, VA to Rapidan Camp and from there to the Big Meadows Lodge; then after lunch, we descended via Dark Hollows Falls and the Rose River fire road back to the parking area.  I was not looking forward to this hike when I arose this morning, for today was supposed to be the hottest of the entire week, and humid as well.  But it turned out much better than I expected.  The temperatures were slightly less warm in the elevations we were frequenting and since most of the ascent occurred in the morning, when the temperatures were lower, the climbs were far less uncomfortable than I anticipated.  In the Big Meadows area, which is about 3500 feet high, breezes were continually blowing, moderating the heat and dissipating the humidity.  This hike is traditionally the one in which the Vigorous Hikers pauses for a lunch longer than usual, dining at the lodge rather than eating pre-packaged lunches on the hike route itself.   We spent over 90 minutes there, despite the efficiency of the service, being inclined to linger over our meal and converse at leisure.  The latter part of the hike is mainly descent; by that time the temperatures grew warmer and somewhat more oppressive as we came down to lower elevations.  However, we took advantage of a swimming hole close to the parking area at the end of the hike.  The water was quite cool, as mountain streams and pools tend to be, but not frigid, and it was deep enough to submerge oneself entirely, and even to swim a few strokes consecutively.  Wineberries and, to a lesser extent, blackberries grew in abundance close to the trailhead and many of them were fully ripe, providing an excellent dessert for the lunch we had enjoyed earlier. 

I met a young father with his two young sons upon my return.  We chatted a little, he showing me where blackberries grew in the greatest profusion.  He was curious about my activities, and when I mentioned that I was part of a group that hiked for 18 miles with 3000 feet of elevation gain his eyes widened in surprise.  “In one day?” he asked.  He was by no means unfit himself, but an exertion of that kind seemed unusually arduous to him, or at the very least eccentric.  I suppose it is by many standards.  It is perhaps imprudent at my age to perform such undertakings.  I daresay as I grow older I will restrict myself according to the example set by GP, who confines himself to undertaking day-hikes of no more than 12 miles or so now that he has reached the age of 90.

Yesterday’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 188,030,820; # of deaths worldwide: 4,055,269; # of cases U.S.: 34,761,520; # of deaths; U.S.: 623,011.

Today’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 188,571,052; # of deaths worldwide: 4,065,184; # of cases U.S.: 34,804,976; # of deaths; U.S.: 623,396.  More than one half-million new cases occurred globally today, of which well over 25,000 originated in the U.S.; we are far from seeing the end of the pandemic yet.