Waiting too many days to write this blog has caused me to forget what I did. I do remember some things though.
The afternoon of the 19th brought me some excitement. I had taken a break where the trail crosses US 33 at Run Gap. I made a few phone calls to see what campgrounds and waysides were open. Before we had even gotten into SNP, everyone kept telling us that you don't even need to take a food bag as there are places where the trail goes over a road and one can buy food for that day. Anyway, as I was sitting there, everyone passed me. Samurai was about 50 yards ahead of me as I headed up the mountain from the gap. I all of a sudden got a strange feeling that someone or something was looking at me. I looked over and saw an adult black bear about 20 to 30 yards off the trail just staring at me. I instantly got exciting and starting to yell at Samurai. He stopped and I asked him if he had seen it. He did not. By this time I had stopped and pulled out my camera. I took a few shots of the bear. Nothing too good, but at least I got something. The bear was unfased for the most part that we were even there. It was look at us for a few seconds and then go back to eating whatever it was eating. Excited, I caught up to SR. I asked him if he had seen it, and he had not. It got upset because he is the only one in the group who has not seen one yet.
We trucked on and passed the 900 mile mark. It was a quick celebration as we knew we had something better to do. We had to get to a campground that is beside the trail that serves adult beverages and ice cream. Plus, it was just short of shelter we were going to be stopping at. We got to the campground just in time. (Ha ha ha...a quick side note. I am sitting in the trail station waiting for the train into DC. Some lady just ripped one. In the woods, that is normal. In real world civilization, that is funny.) It was like Christmas, except at tourist prices. I bought a few drinks, some hot dog buns, and a pint of ice cream. I put the ice cream in a zip lock and then stuffed it in my sleeping bag to keep it cold. Before leaving, I spoke with an older couple who was just out trailer camping for a few days. They made sure my health was good and asked about life along the trail.
Shortly after hiking again, SR and I rolled into the shelter area. I set up my tent and got ready for the festivities. That night, it was my normal meal of a pasta side and sweets, a few hot dogs, a few adult drinks, and a pint of ice cream. The sleeping bag did its job in keeping the ice cream cold until I ate it.
That night was also the first night I met Veggie and K 2 5. I had seen some of their entries in the shelter logs for some time. Now I was able to put a face with a name. I also met a guy who was out for a few days. He ended up being from DC. I told him I was going to be leaving trail in a few days and site-seeing in DC. He immediately offered up a place to leave my pack and sleep if I needed it. That is the type of community out here.
I woke up around 5 on the morning of the 20th. Prime Minister is always the first to get up and get out of camp. He can be up and out in about 5 to 10 minutes. The four of us had conspired the night before to get up quietly and out of camp before PM. We would then be up the trail waiting for him. All of us were up and about ready to go. That is when is saw a very weary looking PM walking up the side trail back toward the AT. I couldn't believe it. Somehow he had still beaten us to it.
The goal for the morning was to hike 16 miles to the Skyland Resort. Originally, the resort was owned my George Pollack. In the 19th century, Pollack pushed hard to evict surrounding land holders and create a national park. Ironically, he was later forced to sell and give up management of the resort. We made it in time to buy some lunch. It was probably the most overpriced hamburger and beer I have ever had. Later that day, I crossed over the Pinnacle and came to Mary's Rock. As I got to Mary's Rock, I saw K 2 5 sitting up on the top of the rocks. Some of us climbed up there too for a 360 degree view of the park and a setting sun.
We arrived at the Pass Mtn Hut fairly late in the day as we had hiked almost 27 miles and stopped for a long lunch. Sticks and Absent were at the hut. I hadn't seen them in a few weeks. I thought they were a few days ahead, but they said they had been hiking shorter days. Also at the hut was a guy out "training" for a thru hike. His plan was to start in June and do a flip flop. After 20 minutes of him talking about it and asking questions, I had to go to bed. I couldn't take anymore of it.
The 21st was another long day. Nothing too exciting other than it was the last day to be in SNP. I think all of us were ready to get out of there. The hiking wasn't that bad (other than all the rain we had). However, I wasn't too impressed with the park. It was fairly boring for the most part. It was either Samurai or SR who said it best. One said he would come back in a car and drive through the park as that is how SNP should be experienced. Skyline Drive takes most of the views away from the trail. Other than the 360 view, the vistas were few and mostly of the same valley in one day. I did see a bear though.
The end of the 21st got us into Front Royal, VA. Samurai and I hitched together while SR and TW got a hitch afterwards. We met at the Food Lion for a resupply. PM appeared out of no where and joined us. We grabbed some dinner and split a room at the Center City Motel. Definitely one of the worst places I have ever stayed. Our non-smoking room smelled as if some has left 20 ashtrays in the room. I think the bathroom was dirtier than I was, and I know I was pretty dirty.
The night was spent watching a few movies and then heading to bed.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment