Day 11, Sunday, July 31

Final Day - Blackburn to ATC Harper's Ferry to Maryland Border 13 miles.  We left Blackburn at 6:30 am.  The trail remained on the ridge before beginning its descend to Harper's Ferry.  We arrived at the ATC at 11:30 am and to my surprise there was Tracey and Lisa.  The plan was Danny and Tracey were going to give me a ride to Waynesboro to meet Lisa.  Surprise!!!   I registered my hike at the ATC then we jumped back on the trail for another mile to the MD border.  This ends my 2016 AT Adventures but plan to be back in 2017 for another quarter or maybe remainder.  

Day 10, Saturday, July 30

8 miles Bear Den to Blackburn Trail Center.  Danny "Eeyore" and his wife Tracey arrived at Bear Den at 9:30 a.m..  Danny and I were off hiking in no time as we expected mid afternoon storms.  We finished the last two climbs and descends of the roller coaster and crossed over into WV for one more climb for the day.   The rest of the hike was along the ridge which straddled the WV and VA stateline.  We arrived at Blackburn at around 2:00 p.m. and settled into the hiker cabin before the rains began.  Danny and I had the opportunity to share great conversation with Chris "Trailboss" and Sandy (Care keepers).  Sandy is the current board chair for the ATC.  

Day 9, Friday, July 29

10 Miles to Bear Den Hostel. I had a short day but not an easy hike.  I left Rod Hollow's Shelter this morning at 8:00 a.m. and immediately started onto the "Roller Coaster" which is a series of difficult ascends and descends over 13.5 miles.  The surprise to hike was the rocky trail.      Bear Den Hostel is ran by the Potomac ATC and is a large stone house built like a caste.  I stayed with 2 Northbounders and 4 Southbounders.  Bear Den is arranged location for a meet with my friend "Eeyore" from Richmond who will hike with me on Saturday and Sunday into Harper's Ferry.

Day 8, Thursday, July 28

23.6 miles today.  Really felt great today. Originally planned 15 but got there at 1:30 so I pushed on.  It was cooler today and was in a heavy thunderstorm this afternoon.  Saw two deer and a small fox.  Start the roller coast first thing in the morning (10 miles of ups and downs).   

Day 7, Wednesday, July 27

He is out of the Shenandoah park and in Front Royal. He is on his own again after going about 14 miles. He is at a hostel and they will give him a ride to town. He was there by about 12:30 so he was going to have a shower and a nap before going into town to do his laundry, I bet that smells nice, and to have dinner. The hostel is airconditioned. Yeah!

Day 6, Tuesday, July 26,

Oh my, more deer and another bear. I just hope the bear isn't  hungry. He is still with 10%.  They were able again to stop at a wayside concession stand for lunch of burger, fries, and two gatorades. Tough life on the trail. But they did go 14.5 miles today to get to Gravel Springs shelter. The weather was great, a little cooler and is feeling really well.  Did get a rain at the end of the day which just made the night really humid. They were with another hiker in the hut who kept them up most of the night. His plans are to go on tomorrow with 10% so he can keep up with the miles and be able to reach Half way point.

Day 5, Monday, July 25

He went 14.5 miles today to Luray, VA.  But he had a hiking partner today. He was with 10%, he got his name because  he says he is going to take 10 years to hike the trail and do 10% a year. He is going to the same hostel.  They stopped at Skyline Resort store had two gatorades and an apple for a nice long rest. They decided to cut back during the heat of the day as it was extremely hot again. He felt good today but woke up with a bad rash on his legs, not sure if it is bug bites or poison. He did use hydrocortisone so hopefully it will help. They saw another bear and this time it was only about 25 feet  away. I have really lost count of how many he has seen.

Day 4, Sunday, July 24

Bruce was in the scorching heat again.  Someone told him the heat index was 109. So thankfully he has decided to cut back on the miles.  And he stopped at Big Meadows concession for lunch, 2 gatorades, and a nice long wreck. He made it to Rock Springs  hut in the heat but he was hoping for a good place to camp so he could use his bug net. But it was too rocky so he is in the hut for the night. He only made it about 13 miles today. He felt a lot better knowing he didn't have to get so many miles in each day. Two other north bounders showed up at the hut and they watched deer play. He was able to get on and make reservations at a hostel for tomorrow night.

Day 3, Saturday, July 23, 2016

I dropped him off on the trail around 9:00 this morning. It was really really hot, probably the hottest day of the summer so far. I hated leaving him in the heat but he was determined to keep going. I drove the four and a half drive back to Bristol. He finally called In the evening and was exhausted.  He made it to Lewis mountain campground. He was able to get a shower and had dinner at the campstore. But there were no empty spots so he ask another hiker to share his site. So he slept in the tent in the heat. He had a rough day with the heat.

Day 2, Friday, July 22, 2016

Day two brought more views and a beautiful vista. It was a clear warm day.

He went to black rock summit and I even joined him for lunch at the Loft Mt wayside. After I left him he thought he had a fellow hiker for part of the trail. He passed a big buck who was grazing to the side. He stopped to take his camera out of the plastic bag and the buck started following. I guess he thought the bag was a food wrapper. He followed on the trail for about a 1/4 mile and then realized he wasn't going to get any food. 

He went almost 20 miles and did not have a dry stitch of clothing when I picked him up. Again a wonderful smell back to the hotel. But tomorrow he is on his own for 7-10 days, Harper's Ferry Bound.

Day 1, Thursday, July 21, 2016

He is back on the trail. We drove to Waynesboro, Va from Bristol this morning and I dropped him off at the beginning of the Shenandoah park for a 15 mile hike. He will be in the park for the next 5-6 days as the trail is 105 miles in the park. It is off of Skyline Drive. He got started around 12:30 after his favorite lunch of Subway. It was hot and it was no fun having him back in the car for the 45 min drive back to the hotel. Being the wonderful wife I am, I'm helping him slack pack for a few days. Benefits,  he gets to get his trail legs over a few days, gets to sleep in a cool room in a soft bed, gets a shower, and clean clothes. The big news, he saw two bears at two different times on the trail today.

Day 23, Sunday, May 29 - Last Day

This morning Danny and I hiked the last 6 miles of the trek to Waynesboro.    My May hike is over, covering 391 miles from Damascus to Waynesboro (the entrance to Shenandoah National Park).  As was last year, it is difficult to see all my new friends move on up the trail.   The time in the woods definitely helps you appreciate the many comforts that the good Lord has provided.   I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be able to again experience the beauty of the trail, to develop new friendships and for a renewed appreciate of God’s Creation.   Thanks for Lisa, Seth, Danny, Tracey and the many Trail Angels and Hikers who helped me enjoy this to the fullest.  

Day 22, Saturday, May 28

Today is a slack packing day (Water and key essentials only) with my dear friend Danny Seamster from Richmond.   We hiked from Reed Gap (21 Miles outside of Waynesboro) to the visitor’s center on the Blue Ridge Parkway (15 Trail Miles).   The hike was pleasant, great weather, company and some wonderful views on top of Humpback Mountain.  Due to some confusion with the trail signs and the AWOL (David Miller’s AT Guide) we hiked past the past the turnoff by approximate a mile and had to return, so we estimated we hiked a total of 17 for the day.   Unfortunately, we will have to hike that same mile for the third time in the morning to finish the hike to Waynesboro (Rockfish Gap).    After the hike the girls picked us up and we went to D&B brewer for dinner.   That was where I saw my first bear of this trip, of course, it was stuffed on the wall of the brewery.  I LOVE SLACK PACKING!!!!!

Day 21, Friday, May 27

It’s Friday and the day I see Lisa again after two weeks.    She is to meet Running Mink and I at VA 56 Tye River at mile 831.8 (11.5 miles) today at noon, with Lunch!    We started the day at early getting up at 5:00 a.m. and departing at first light.  To be honest, I was tried and my body was telling me that by making the climbs feel harder that they really were.   This morning was a series of 200 to 400 feet climbs and falls until we reached the 700 feet climb up the Priest Mountain.   We did stop at the Priest Shelter to read the many confessionals in the trail log that people had written.    After the summit we had a long difficult 3,000 foot downhill to the river.    The downhills are tough on the knees.    We reached the river and the meet point early around 11:00 a.m..  I had spoken with Lisa while on the mountain and knew she would on time at noon.   At 11:58, Lisa pulled into the parking lot and you cannot believe how good it was to see her smiling face.  She had stopped and picked up my favorite….Subway Sandwiches and   Running Mink and I enjoyed a special lunch.   After lunch, Lisa agreed to take Running Mink’s ID, a written wavier including a photo with Running Mink and Lisa and the note to the local post office to pick-up his new trail runners (shoes).    Lisa also agree to take the weight from our packs and let us slack pack to the evening meet point at Reeds Gap (another 11.5 Miles).    The lighter packs made the afternoon much more enjoyable as we climbed back 3000’ up Three Ridges Mountain.   The weather was nice and the view spectator.   Running Mink and I talked knew the two plus weeks of hiking together was coming to an end.   We talked about staying touch throughout the rest of the hike and afterwards.    At around 5:50, we arrived at Reeds Gap where we were met by Lisa and our friends from Richmond Danny and Tracey.    Lisa had picked up Running Minks shoes and he was going to camp a few miles down the trail that night.   After a few last photos, we say our good-byes and he headed down the trail as I headed in town with Lisa.   We had a wonderful dinner and a good night’s sleep.   I planned a  little later wake-up time for Saturday as Danny and I were going to do 15 miles of slack packing.   Total Miles 22.1 Miles.

Day 20, Thursday, May 26

Early start from Reservoir Road, across the Pedlar River Bridge on the way to Brown Mountain 5 miles away.   Brown Mountain is a 3,000’ climb to a bald knob.    I like the bald knobs as you can typically have a great view.   This part of the trail is full of history or ruinings from early day settlements / communities.  It neat to see and image life in the mountains a couple of hundred years ago.  Today, was not my best day.  I was struggling in the afternoon.    I like my body was outworking the calories I was giving it due to the time we had spent in the woods without a stop in town for a real meal.    Running Mink noticed I was struggling and helped me keep my mind off of it and on eating more snacks.   Hiking 20+ miles on a daily basis and consuming 5,000 to 6,000 calories a day is hard to replace on the trail.   Food bags for 7 days’ weigh in excess of 10 pounds so your food value choices are a balance of calories versus weigh.   We arrived a Seeley-Woodworth Shelter for the evening with our lowest mileage of the week at 20.8 miles.  

Day 19, Wednesday, May 25

Hump day!!!   Really….I had to look up the date of the phone to remember what day of the week it was.     Today we came off the mountain down to the James River.   We walked several miles alongside the wide James River to a road crossing where many hikers hitched into Glasgow, VA for supplies.   We carried on and cross the long James River foot bridge to the other side and started climbing again up the Big Rocky Row 2,200’, then so ridge walking before climbing another 900’ to the top of Bluff Mountain.   That afternoon we decent back to the Pedlar River Reservoir.    The campsites were limited and the water source was questionable at best but it made due.     Total mileage for the day was 22.7. 

Day 18, Tuesday, May 24

Today, we climbed…. first 1,000’ up Fork Mountain and back down a 1,000’ then 3,000’ up Floyd Mountain which was a steady uphill for almost 10 miles.   At the top of the Mountain we walked onto a beautiful clear bald and the Apple Orchard Mountain FAA tower at the top.   There as a patch of mowed grass around the tower and everyone who came up sit and took in the views and the warm sunshine.    After a 30 minute break we headed out and on our way to Harrison Camp site for the evening.    A little past the tower we saw the Guillotine (Large Rock wedged over the trail.   As we started the decent the camp site we were watching for bears.   We knew that the next shelter had been closed due to bear activity so we had to go to the camp site several miles past it.    When we arrive at the blue blaze to the Thunder Hill Shelter we learned new information not only was the shelter closed but the Harrison Ground Spring campsite also had bear activity so we set our sights on the next campsites another 4 miles away at Marble Springs.    We arrived after 6:00 at Marble Spring campsite after a long 24.1 miles.

Day 17, Monday, May 23

The plan was to leave Daleville early and cover big miles today.    Only one problem, I was still trying to get my hiking poles back from the ATC Ridge Runner Matt.   So Runner Mink and I decided to go to breakfast.   After breakfast, I started calling the ATC number hoping they would open at 7.   At 7:30, we started out and hiking a mile to I-81 where we waited and finally reach the ATC at 8:50 a.m..   It took until 9:00 to get a call back from Matt and we made a plan to meet at the next road crossing in 30 mins..   We arrived at the cross road first but right on time Matt pulled up and within a few minutes I was reunited with my hiking poles.    What an amazing bit of trail angel work that was.   I left them on the edge of a busy parking lot full of casual day hikers, where a ATC Ridge Runner, who I happened to speak with on the trail earlier, saw them recognized them and picked them up and walk to the next shelter to leave a message……AMAZING!   Hats off to Matt the ATC Ridge Runner.    So around 10:00 a.m. we start our hike in earnest and hiked hard for most of the day.   The hike was rolling ups and downs all day but no significant changes in elevation.  We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway 5 or 6 times throughout the day.   It was around 6:00 p.m. went we arrived our destination of Cove Mountain Shelter.   We had hiked 25.0 miles, my longest day ever.      

Day 16, Sunday, May 22

After a little family time and a day of rest, the day started with a two hour drive from Bristol back to the trail. On the way, Bruce realized that he had left his hiking poles in the parking lot on Fridqy when Seth picked him up. He was really bummed.  Sad start to the day, this was going to be harder to walk without them and Chaz had bought them as a gift. Seth felt like a trail angel might have picked them up and told him to check the hiker log at the next shelter.  Lucky, lucky.  An ATC ridge runner had found the poles and left the number to the regional ATC office.

He called Seth and he drove to the office in hopes of getting them but they were closed on Sunday.

So he was hoping to make contact on Monday and get them back. He hiked from Hwy 311 to Daleville which was 21 miles. He met back up with Running Mink and the stayed at a Howard Johnson's for the night.

Day 15, Friday, May 20

Today was a short day only going 6 miles to the base of McAfee knobwhere Seth picked him up at noon. He came of the trail to go to Bristol to celebrated Matney, our nieces, graduation. He will also take a zero day and return on Sunday.

Day 14, Thursday May 19

Bruce had another long hard day. He left before 6:00am, another of those 999 reasons I'm not our there, in a light rain. He went a couple of miles south of the continental divide, again have king with Runninf Mink. . He said it was a day of tricking footing with the slick rocks on the ridge, which caused a few slips and falls. By mid day they were at the Authie Murphy monument, who was the most decorated WW11 solider who died on the mountain in a plane crash.  Around 3:30 the sun finally came out so the beautiful views of the dragon tooth could be seen. Made it to Four Pines hostel for the night, arriving at 6:15, after a 23 mile day.

Day 13, Wednesday May 18

Rain, Rain, Rain.  That is how his message started. Must have been fun but they did 24 miles with three 1,500 feet climbs.  It was a long hard day but they needed to get that much in so they could make it to the hostel the next night. He says he desperately needs to do laundry as everything is soaked.

Day 12, Tuesday, May 17

Bruce started and ended the day in rain. I think it rained almost the entire day. He managed to go a full 20 miles, I guess he felt like he had to make up for the day before. They started with a one mile hike back to the trail from the Holiday Lodge where he and Running Mink shared a room. They started at 6:15. Oh how fun. Is the sun even up at that hour? The first 7 miles were spent climbing 1,800 ft to a ridge and climbing over it. The next 13 were on the ridge and downhill in the nice steady rain. And I'm sure it is a little chilly. They camped at the Captains house, which is tenting in the guys front yard. But the kicker is, you have a rope trolley to ride to get across the river. Yeah another fun adventure. But the Captain does provide wifi and sodas. Oh the luxuries of the trail.

Day 11, Monday, May 16

Bruce had a nice relaxed day. They got a late start as they had breakfast at the hostel. He loved the breakfast and being with the other hikers. He had a short day and only hiked 11 miles. He is trying to stay with Running Mink and he had to go into town to get on the computer for some business. So Bruce spent the afternoon in the library catching up on emails and was able to call me. I think Pearisburgh is the town they were in.

Day10, Sunday, May 15

He hiked from Trent's grocery to Wood's Hole hostel, putting in 15.3 miles plus another 1.6 to get to Dismal falls for a view and to the hostel. For those of your from Ga, this is the hostel that Ms Tillie from Roswell started. Her granddaughter now runs it and it is suppose to be one of the best on the trail. He hiked with Running Mink who is 53 and from MI. They walk at about the same pace so hopefully he can stay with him a few days. He said it was really cold and windy but at least no rain. And I think it was chilly camping the night before.
He said the hostel is great, very warm and comfortable. He even wants to take me back to stay a few days. Of course by car. They usually serve dinner but the owner, Neville, waned to go out. So they arranged four cars to take everyone into town.  They ate at a Korean restaurant that served family style. He said he was great and he ate a lot. He loved this place so a lot of pictures!



Running Mink