5/30/01
Tonight I'm sitting on a picnic table in front of the Calf Mountain shelter in a cold breeze catching up on the daily journal. The forecasted low temperature tonite is 40 degrees and it feels like it. This morning Yolo, Boot Stew, Snowbunny and I busted out of the shelter with a burst of energy heading for Waynesboro. Boot Stew and I hitched a ride to the Rockfish Gap outfitter where I solved my water purification filter problem (new filter) and purchased another pair of shorts to take me to Maine. From there I got a hitch (Delaware couple section hiking) to the post office in Waynesboro. After loading the pack with a huge food resupply (7 days) I headed to Kroger for candy bars and a bottle of Merlot for this evening's meal. Lollipop and Angry Jack (formerly Kodiakak) were in the Kroger parking lot and directed me to a great Mexican restaurant for lunch. The 1/2 mile hike to La Bamba was definitely worth it. Now it's a challenge to spend $10.00 for lunch in any Mexican restaurant but I was successful. While in La Bamba, an intriguing conversation ensued between me and an older gentleman at the next table. It just so happened that this man is the archivist for the Augusta Military Academy and was a career Naval officer. We discussed the Civil War and in particular many of the details surrounding Gettsyburg, New Market, Waynesboro, and other nearby battles. Chester Cole has participated in re-enactments at Gettsyburg and it was fascinating to hear his account of the 3 day battle that changed the course of history in America. Chester attempted to pay for my lunch (speaking to the proprietor in Spanish) but I was able to stop his act of kindness (good thing I still understand Spanish). He very kindly took me back to the trailhead at Rock Fish Gap this afternoon where I began the 105 mile segment of the AT through the Shenandoah National Park.
I hiked a quick 7 miles in 2 1/2 hours and arrived at the Calf Mtn. shelter by 6:30 p.m. The shelter filled up as the evening progressed. Tonite we have a large crowd including the following thru-hikers: Thawookie and girlfriend, Snowbunny (arrived in the dark), Moonshine (who I haven't camped with since the very first night way back in Georgia), Boot Stew, Phantom (we just met tonite after seeing his register entries for months) and Priceless (same deal, he was ahead but took time off to visit Washington, DC.). The big challenge tonight was learning how to hang the bear bags on the poles erected in the S.N.P. (Shenandoah National Park). We all had a fun? time experimenting with the right technique to successfully hang the bag. Since the SNP boasts one bear per square mile and Moonshine reported seeing a cub a mile from the shelter this evening, we're all taking the bear bag hanging fairly seriously. The French Merlot was a nice addition to the evening meal and it's still a wonderful adventure every day on the trail. Amazingly enough, hikers are quitting in large numbers. I find it incredulous as we have now finished 1/3 of the trail. We are now in top physical shape, the severe cold weather is behind us (though it will be 40 degrees tonite), and we've conquered the tough high peaks in NC and VA until we reach Vermont. My theory is that the shine has worn off the new car and now we're into the meat of the AT, the trail itself. Bottom line. . . if you don't like hiking big miles everyday with a pack on your back, the AT is NOT for you. Here's todays stats; low 48 degrees, high 75. Rain overnight, sunny today. Today's mileage: 12.0; cumulative mileage 849.6. I'm beginning to see an end to the long green tunnel in Virginia. I'm getting excited about crossing that WV, MD and PA line into the north. Only 1,318.5 miles to Katahdin. Yippee.
