Normally I go to Annual Recreation Workshop (ARW) during this time of the year. I had even lined up a ride with Kris aka Bubba who was in Roanoke for his brother's wedding the weekend preceding the conference. ARW is where I go to learn all my games and what not. This year I had even made the cut to take Roger and Brian's stained glass window class. That is hard to pass up. However, after some thought over the last few weeks and some consultation, I decided to pass on ARW this year and attend Trail Days in Damascus. There will always be ARW next year, and I feel that if I go to Trail Days, then I should go the year I hike the trail. Plus, we have heard rumors that they might be moving Trail Days out of the town. One problem with doing TDs this year is that I am 200 plus miles north of the town. They say hikers get hitches all along the trail to go, but I don't want to risk that. So yesterday, I called the outfitter in Waynesboro to see if they knew anyone giving rides. They provided two names. I called the first and was told to give someone by the trail name "Cricket" a call. I called cricket and left a message. She returned my call later in the day saying she could give up to 4 hikers a ride. That worked out perfectly as TW, SR, Samurai, and I all plan on going. Now, here is the problem. Up until today, PM was not planning on going. Then he changed his mind to go. I am glad he is going, but that changes the riding situation. Cricket can only take 4 at the most, and I am not going to leave one person alone to find a ride. So, we are going to make some more calls to see what we can find. If nothing, I am riding with Cricket Friday morning. I am also trying to talk Michelle into coming up. If anyone else would like to come, then let me know and maybe yall could carpool. Also, for anyone related to Dark Star, tell him to get a ride there. He is worried about catching up with us. However, I am about to leave trail for a week so I will be trying to catch up with him.
Aside from trying to figure out TDs, not too much has stood out over the last two days. We have been doing well with getting up early and breaking down camp. I think 7:30 has been the latest we have left over the last two days. Getting up earlier helps to knock out miles before lunch while it is still cool temps. Yesterday we did 13 and today we did 10 before lunch.
Last night we stayed at a really neat shelter, Bryant Ridge. The shelter is three stories and sleeps around 20. It was right in the bend of the creek too. That was nice for water, but it meant bugs. Trying to eat and sleep was miserable. I still have my winter bag so I started off the evening on top of it. I got to sleep but woke up from being eaten alive. So I got in my bag to only wake up a few minutes later covered in sweat. I went back and forth all night. I have ordered a summer bag, but I had ut shipped to Damascus in order to pick it up next weekend.
Before the shelter, we stopped to swim in Jennings Creek. It was refreshing. Skyrocket made a rope swing out if his bear bag rope. Don't worry, I got a video of it.
This morning we were faced with a pretty big ascent. It was 2,000 feet in a few miles. At the top was Apple Orchard Mtn. The mtn was home to an Air Force radar base. All the barracks and support buildings have been removed, but the radar and a few smaller buildings remain. It definitely looked like the radar was being used. However, I don't know if it was for military or if it has been replaced with a weather radar such as doppler.
After the summit, I got to go under The Guillotine. It is a boulder stuck between two rock formations, and the trail goes under it. To be honest, I was not too impressed. I figured it was going to be a lot larger. To got a quick pic and moved on.
Tonight, TW, SR, PM, Samurai, and myself are staying at Matts Creek Shelter. There is another lady here who has the shelter to herself. All of us are in tents or hammocks to avoid the bugs. We are about two miles shy of the James River Foot Bridge. It is the longest foot use only bridge on the AT. We plan to get up early and get a hitch into town. We still haven't decided how quickly we want to get to Waynesboro. The original plan was to get there by Wednesday. However, since Cricket isn't leaving until Friday, we may take an extra day to get there. Samurai is also trying to get us hooked up with a place to stay.
Overall, my body is doing well. My feet are holding up. I am still waiting for my big toe nail to fall off. I stumped it weeks ago. It has been black and blue ever sense, but no sign of going anywhere. Also, a few days ago I noticed that my right butt check itched and was a little swollen. I don't know if I was bit, stung, had a bought with poison ivy, got another case of shingles (yes, I have had it already before), or something else. It bothers me every once in a while. If it is still swollen next week then I will get it checked out during TDs.
Richie, I got your questions. I am waiting to see if others want to send in anything for this round of Q&A.
Caroline and Mrs. Teresa, I am glad I am able to be a part of your curriculum. Please keep me updated with how it is going and let me know how I might be able to add to what is already going on. Caroline, no need to use those other blogs. You know mine is the only cool one. I'm kidding. If possible, let me know the location and names of the others hiking.
That's all I got for now. I probably forgot something, but it will give me a starting point for another blog.
Again, no service in VA so this will get posted a day or two later.
Keep it real!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment