Photos from the Trail - May 2011

Here are some photos taken from the trail over the past few weeks.

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Hiked 13 miles before lunch and covered in sweat since 6 this morning. Im 40 miles into Shenandoah National Park and it's hot! There is a serious lack of swimming holes in the park. Blue, saber, squirrel, shutter and I are waiting at Pinefield Gap for my sister. Megan will hike the next 14 miles with us before we meet mom tomorrow. Mom will have cheeseburgers waiting for us at the South River Picnic area. Hottest day on the trail yet. I hope Meg is ready!

Mings Sushi

Waynesboro Steamroller!

I was supposed to enter Shenandoah national park today but as usual the comforts of town proved to be to much. There was a split decision between hiking or spending the day in town. We flipped a coin to break the tie. Nobody was terribly upset when it landed on tails which meant we were zeroing in downtown Waynesboro. A great trail town. We toured museums, ate "famous" chilli dogs and caught a movie. The highlight was the Ming Chinese Buffet. I have been hearing about Mings since we crossed the Virginia border. Best buffet on the trail i was told. it defiantly lived up to the hype.
Tonight, we are staying at the Waynesboro Lutheran church as thunderstorms roll thru outside. Very nice place for the reasonable price of $0.

Daleville to Waynesboro Va

10 days after getting back on the trail from the vacation in Fred Vegas Blue, Squirrel, Saber, and I are feeling great. Our legs enjoyed the rest and for the most part are feeling good. The daily aches and pains are slowly creeping back into existence but we all agree the long break helped alot. We have been making good miles, averaging 15 a day. The hiking has been great. Rhodadendrums and mountain laurel are blooming everywhere. Thousands of spring peepers (frogs) provide us with music as we fall asleep every night. The heat and humidity haven't gone unnoticed. We have taken advantage of a couple swimming holes but the spring fed streams are still freezing.
54 miles out of Daleville we crossed the James river foot bridge saturday afternoon and hitched into Glasgow for resupply. We camped just outside of town. Glasgow's bluegrass festival was in progress just thru the woods and we got to enjoy some music as we sat around the fire. I'm not sure how the closing act got signed on but we all agreed it sounded like karaoke night in Glasgow.
Sunday morning we did laundry and enjoyed microwavable burritos and cheeseburgers from the local country store. Then, it was out to the road to stick out a thumb. After 15 mins I saw a big r.v. coming down the road. We all joked that this was the ride we had been looking for. As the vehicle rode past I locked eyes with a familiar face. "That was my grandad!" I dismissed it at first but when the R.V. pulled over I knew my eyes weren't deceiving me. Call it luck, call it coincidence, a sign from god, whatever way you put it... it was great to see there familiar faces. Grandad and Nanny were just as surprised to see me as I was them. They didn't get a chance to meet my hiking buddies while we were home. Within seconds of being in the vehicle Nanny offered us some of her famous chocolate peanut butter eggs. I couldn't believe how lucky I was. A 10 min ride back to the trailhead, a quick goodbye and we were back on the trail with the best hitchhiking story on the appalacian trail.
15 miles out of Glasgow we made camp by a small pond and I set up my brand new hammock. It's lightweight, comfortable and not nearly as water proof as my tent was. A huge thunderstorm hit just after dark and water leeched in near my head and feet. I still managed a good nights sleep and I think I figured out the water problem.
The next few days we did big miles and had good luck. Camped in a meadow Tuesday night some former thru hikers brought BBQ sandwiches and LOTS of beer for us hikers. Theres nothing like a cold Sam Adams after a long day of hiking. Bluegrass was making his way to his tent that night when he spotted 2 coyotes roaming around. I just missed them! I cowboy camped (no tent) that night underneath a sky full of stars. Great night.
The next couple of days we woke early and hiked late. We arrived well after dark Wednesday at the Paul Wolf shelter and slept a couple hours before walking a short 6 miles into waynesboro the next morning.
It was a quick hitchhike into town. I went straight to the Rockfish Gap Outfitters to pick up my new boots. My Salomon boots that I've been wearing since springer mountain, 800 miles ago, are completely worn out. My feet will appreciate the fresh new boots. The last two weeks I've had to duct tape my feet to avoid blisters. Salomon sent me a free pair because I'm an A.T. thru hiker.
Tonight we are camped along the South River on the edge of town, praying the thunderstorms miss us. Tomorrow we enter the Shenandoah National Park. Basically my back yard, I've been looking forward to this section. 100 miles of moderate terrain and filled with wildlife. The miles are going fast now and I should be out of Va in less then two weeks!

New boots! 0 miles vs. 800 miles

Im still having trouble grasping the fact that my grandparents picked me up while I was hitchhiking on a random road in south western va. The story has spread across the trail.
Camped on top of Priest Mountain tonight. Last few days of hiking have been good. Big update when I get into Waynesboro on Thursday.

Hitchhiking?!?!

Smokey the Bear

After a long break in Fredericksburg it was great to walk in the woods this morning. Instantly I felt better. Our vacation in fred was much longer then planned and it was weird to be off trail for so long. I was beginning to feel lazy. The hike out of Daleville cured all that. Despite the annoying hum of I-81 traffic in the background it was a good hike. My legs felt great. With 5 days of rest, the annoying daily pains in my knees and feet were absent. We made it to "Full Hard Knob Shelter" mid afternoon With a steady rain falling. We were lucky to find the shelter empty. We quickly rolled out our sleeping pads and relaxed. We all fell asleep watching the rain fall outside of the shelter. I woke up with the sun shining and heard noises behind the shelter. I was surprised when a 200 pound black bear poked his head around the corner. My first thought as the black bear locked eyes with me was, "oh shit, this bears going to eat me!" A few seconds passed before he looked away and began to investigate the fire pit in front of the shelter. With the bear less the 20 feet away I began to fumble for my camera and shake Squirrel awake with my other hand. As I began snapping pictures the bear got spooked and ran off. With everyone in the shelter awake now I slowly followed the bears trail behind the shelter. I assumed he had ran off but I was surprised as I peaked around the corner and he was only 30 feet away. He wandered further away as me and squirrel took pictures. He stopped by the spring 30 yards behind the shelter and drank. He continued to wander around the shelter. At one point climbing an oak tree right in front of us. He didn't appear scared of us. He was almost playful. When we got too close he let us know by running towards us aggressively. He stopped 20 yards short of us but we knew picture time was over. It took some shouting and some loud blasts off of Choppers harmonica before "Smokey" ran away. It took two months but I've had my first bear sighting. And as the sun goes down tonight I'm hopeful it's the last one I have for a while!

Donations

I received a letter from the Amyloidosis Foundation informing me three donations totaling $100 have been made in my fathers name. I can not express how truly thankful I am! Happy birthday dad!

Fredericksburg?!?

My 5 day siesta is over! Bluegrass, Squirrel, Sabertooth and I spent a long weekend back home in Fredericksburg. I got to surprise my mom for her birthday, Saber met his little niece for the first time, and we all rested our legs. We also made some changes to our gear in town and everyone was able to drop weight from there pack. Squirrel had an unfortunate accident with a knife while trying to put new tips on his trekking poles. One slip of the knife and the top of his wrist was sliced wide open! A late night visit to the emergency room lead to numerous stitches and an extra day of rest in Fredericksburg. Squirrel seems to have a way of injuring himself but he doesn't want our pity and he's ready to hit the trail again. A rainy forecast for much of the week and theres nothing we can do but strap on the rain gear and start hiking.

Mcaffee Knob

Dragons Tooth

Tough climb up "Dragons Tooth" yesterday. 1400 foot mt. appeared to be gradual climb on the profile map but it was a different story once I started the climb. Hiking straight up a narrow ridge across huge boulders and thru tight squeezes. Up and down we trudged. We've been hiking with Lost n Found, The Conversation, Chopper, and there two dogs. Eloise, an Australian Shepard and Lucy, a sweet pit bull. The dogs had trouble in some spots and needed a little help. Making our way to the summit there were many views from rocky outcroppings. The culminating 60 foot rock spires on top were amazing. Blue, Saber and I risked our lives climbing to the point of dragons tooth but it was well worth the view. The climb down was no easier, rock scrambling down 2 1/2 miles. We came to a road crossing late in the afternoon and decided to walk a 1/2 mile to a country store for a couple beers to enjoy at camp. As we exited the store our spirits were crushed. Thunder and lighting had moved in. As a steady rain began to fall the helpful store clerk informed us about the bad weather moving in and a cheap hostel just down the road. Joe Mitchell, owner of Four Pines Hostel, pulled up to the store as a heavy rain began to fall. 8 hikers and 2 dogs piled in the back of his truck when hail began to fall. We were pelted with rain and dime sized hail as we curved down the winding back roads of Va. Most of us were laughing uncontrollably despite the pain. Sabertooth got the worst of it. He was leaned against the back tailgate looking forward. Using his hands as a shield he tried in vain to block the hail. We were all smiling and laughing as we piled into the hostel.

No day out here is ever the same. We never thought our day would end at an Alpaca farm drinking fine beer and grilling hotdogs.

I don't know why a 4 foot black snake would just lay in the middle of the trail but if I scared him half as much as he scared me, he won't lay there again

Kellys Knob Sunset

Woods Hole

Woods Hole Garden

Dismal Falls to Pearisburg

Great hiking the past few days and even better accommodations. I can't say the weather has been so great. Tuesday afternoon the temperatures started dropping and a steady rain fell all night. We camped next to Dismal Falls, a wide stream with numerous cascading falls and deep clear pools. It was cold and damp the next morning but the sun was doing it's best to poke thru the clouds. Bluegrass and I made it out of camp well before Sabertooth and Squirrel. The first 6 miles was a perfect hike. We walked thru a valley covered in a dense pine forest and crossed swollen streams lined with rhododendron trees. The hike was the flattest six miles I've done yet. I was really enjoying myself until I ran face first into Wapita mountain! A steep 800 ft climb, I was happy to reach the top and walk along the top of the ridge the rest of the day.

I had been hearing great things about the Woods Hole Hostel so when the clouds began to darken and the temps were falling we were happy to hike the half mile off trail into Woods Hole. An 1880s log cabin and bunkhouse on a 100 acres, was discovered by Roy and Tillie Wood around 1940. They opened the hostel in 1986 and for 21 years ran it until there passing. There granddaughter, Neville, runs the operation now with her husband Michel. Two of the most generous people I've ever met. They made all the hikers feel right at home. But Neville was straight to the point when there was a stinking hiker sitting in her living room. Anyone with "hiker funk" was politely asked to shower....immediately. I think we hikers are becoming to comfortable with the terrible smell we give off after a week with no showers or clean cloths.

Lots of hikers arrived that afternoon mostly because of the weather turning. It was raining and cold when Sabertooth and Squirrel arrived. I couldn't think of a better place to be when I noticed it was sleeting outside.
All the guests pitched in to help with the family style dinner. Neville pounded dough while Michel ran the wood oven stove outside. An assembly line of hikers loaded home made sauces, meats and vegetables on the dough as Michel slid the pizzas into the hot oven. 25 pizzas later, dinner was served. Fresh salad straight from the garden with home made dressing put the meal over the top. After a good nights rest in the bunkhouse the breakfast bell rang from the porch early. Breakfast was just as good as dinner. It's not often we get a nice home cooked meal out here and I enjoyed it immensely! It was the best stay I've had on the trail yet.

We left Woods hole with a full stomach Thursday morning and headed to Pearisburg. Michel drove our packs into town and we hiked 10 miles carrying only snacks and water. My bones and feet ached the entire hike though. As fate would have it, there was a nice Spanish restaurant next to the grocery store where we picked up our packs. Since it was Cinco de Mayo we decided that a hotel and coronas were in our future. After resupplying we hit the restaurant for $1 coronas. Blue, Sabertooth, and I had a great time. Lots of hikers had the same idea we did. Good times were had by all. But when the alarm went of at 6:30 the next morning my heavy head and aching feet screamed one thing, Zero Day!!! It felt great to relax all day and give the body a break. Stan and Cactus Jack stayed here with us to help with the cost. We will head out early Saturday morning and head 92 miles to Daleville over the next 5 days.

Sent from my iPhone

Sent from my iPhone

Yesterday was long and tough. 24 miles over some beautiful ridges looking down out into green valleys dotted with farm houses. Just before dark we came to a road crossing and Bluegrass and the guys ordered pizza. I used every once of will power and saved some money by skipping it. Two more miles up steep incline and we cowboy camped underneath the stars. I've never been so happy to get in my sleeping bag! This morning I popped my blisters and were moving again!

Thanks for the news update TJ and Jr. I woke the campsite with news of Osama Bin Ladens death. Celebrating in the mountains today! 24 mile hike to Helveys Mill Shelter. I'm really enjoying these Va mountains!

This morning we awoke to sounds of thunder in the distance. As I finished breakfast and pulled on my pack the storm was over us. Walked thru rain most of the morning. In the middle of a wide open pasture the storm kicked up big time. Hail and rain poured on us. If that wasn't enough, 3 big climbs today. We set up camp on Chester knob, tired from a long day. Just before dark a local hiker arrived with pizzas and soda. He hiked ten miles just to bring us dinner!