The Appalachian Trail- (D.69 hee, 13.2 mi)

(Blackrock Hut --> Pinefield Hut) (889.5 mi total)

So, we stuck true to form and kept with the 13 mile day.  Overall, it was a pretty easy day and included some nice weather and views.  The SNP is amazing....the trail is very well groomed and the descent/ascent is just great and typically very gradual.

Cool view in the mornin'

Josh contemplating the expense of a squirrel suit!

Abby contemplating 90's kids movie fighting styles......lunatic.  Death to all Cobra Kai's!

The Appalachian Trail- (D.68, 13.0 mi)

(Calf Mtn Shelter --> BlackRock Hut) (876.3 mi total)

Very nice, Sooooo today is my 24th birthday!  It was my first trail B-day, so I was pretty excited and I'm sure as you may have expected I did pick up a party favor or two in Waynesboro.  The day was beautiful and breezy... we made it to our first camp store in SNP and of course I took advantage of the $1.35 Sierra Nevada's.  We spent the majority of the day lounging and relaxing in the sun.  I worked out the math and at this point I discovered that I could do around 13 miles a day on average and still arrive to Harpers Ferry earlier than planned, so it felt pretty nice being able to relax and enjoy my walk.  We ended the night sipping on my pint of Early Times (their was 4 of us total ha) and playing rumbi....very enjoyable since I haven't played much cards lately.  We are finally starting to run into some Sobo's (Southbound thru-hikers) and that is enjoyable for sure.

Wanted to get a pic of ol' Abby on his B-Day!

Josh overlooking the valley....as always wearing big orange.

Did a lot of this today ha....it felt so good so it was hard not to sit at every vista for at least a couple minutes.

Don't really get to see what you look like too often....so Abby takes a picture of himself every once in a while to make sure he's still got that devilish charm.

Ted and Snake-eye's helping me celebrate my B-Day!

The Appalachian Trail- (D.67, 7.0 mi)

(Waynesboro, VA YMCA --> Calf Mtn Shelter) (863.3 mi total)

Hey Hey today I finally got out of Central Virginia (literally thought this day would never come) and into the Shenandoah National Park (SNP).  We have a 103 mile stretch through SNP and besides its awe inspiring natural beauty it also is rich with consumerism offering plenty of refreshment stands and waysides for electricity and blackberry milkshakes (local blackberries).  We didn't leave Waynesboro till 4 p.m. (picked up by our boy DuBose) and hit the road eagerly.  This was my second and last National Park I would hit on my trip....so shelters are nice and natural fed springs are even better.

Super huge snare-drum....figured Matt could tear this thing up.

Real random seats on top of a mountain....I obliged.  

Little Calf Mountain was beautiful....their are 3 deer in the background but you can't see them for some reason on my camera.

First bear photo..... we saw around 3-5 bears a day in SNP.  It was expected but still overwhelming....especially if the wind is hiding your scent.

We celebrated the SNP's with a great big ol' fire.  These fire places were at every shelter !

The Appalachian Trail- (D.66, 11.5 mi)

(Humpback Mtn Campsite --> Waynesboro, VA) (856.3 mi total)

So, not too sure on our actual mileage yesterday to the campsite.... I think I mislabled it because it was really only about 9 miles into town and not almost 12.  Bare with me though, It is kind of hard to put a specific spot on random campsites.  We headed into Waynesboro, Va today and had a great time.  The network system set-up for hikers was amazing.  We were picked up by Dubose (Great guy)....he has been doing this for 10 or so years.  After he gave us his bit about how we were stinky and gross (ha) and he didn't want to know our name/trailname or anything.....he said I'll never see you again.  He gave us a great tour of the city and then dropped us off at the local YMCA....where they let you camp for free and even let you use their shower facilities.  Josh and I ate some Mexican food (unfort not happy hour timing) and then went to salvation army (where I got my patriotic pants*) and did some re-supply.  We ended the night with a bottle of wine and plenty and plenty of food.  I was also able to finally contact some of my friends that I haven't talked to in a while and spend some time catching up....so I was really glad to be able to do that.

I never would have thought that their would be this many random stone fireplace's just sitting around the Appalachian Trail.

Josh spoiled us with an entire watermelon.....this thing was delish!

Josh gets a little crazy when he gets wine drunk.....

This is what happens when you give 2 people that have been stuck in the woods all the normal liveries of everyday life....destruction.

*Patriotic Pants will be explained in later post!

The Appalachian Trail- (D.65, 15.5 mi)

(Harpers Creek Shelter --> Humpback Mtn Campsite) (844.8 mi total)

We had originally talked about doing a bigger day today to get into Waynesboro, Va. but since I had actually gotten ahead of schedule we decided to start taking the days a little easier.  We found a really great campsite that allowed us to catch a pretty nice breezy sunset and left us only 7 or so miles into Waynesboro for the following morning.

Nice overlook from the campsite....we got about 15 minutes to snap photos, very nice.

Doing a little pack modelling.  Loving the new pack roll, feels real good.

Josh solving life's problems......stare down of the century.

The Appalachian Trail- (D.64, 14.2 mi)

(Seeley-Woodworth Shelter --> Harpers Creek Shelter) (829.3 mi total)

Today we tackled the Priest (last high elevation mountain we had) and it was right over 4,000 ft.  Overall, it would have been a great day but it's always a little discouraging when you start the day with soaking wet shoes/socks/clothes....no bueno.

Ha, Josh had a pretty risque method of drying clothes....actually functioned pretty well though.

Slept the night on just hard wood (miserable), fortunately found this bed roll at the next shelter.

Josh makes his photographic debut!   You gotta ease into these things....can't be weirdin' out folks by snappin' photos.

The Appalachian Trail (D.62/63, 15.8 mi)

(Brown Mtn Creek Shelter --> Seeley-Woodworth Shelter) (815.1 mi total)

Hey Hey,
Finally got some time to relax and finish up the blog!  So, here we go.  I spent a good day in Buena Vista, VA staying at a local park.  They provided a free shower area and the town actually had a cool little Mexican joint and a small local movie theater.  So, I sat down and enjoyed numerous margaritas and then headed off to see "The Campaign" (pretty funny, nothing too great though).  It only costs me $4.50 admission....very impressive and the cheapest I've seen a movie since middle school or possibly ever for that matter. The Trail network set up by Buena Vista is pretty amazing.  Uncorked wine shop heads it up and their are some very helpful folks for hikers.  I finally hit the road the following day around 12'ish....little late but once again it is hard to get out of town sometimes.  After hiking by the lonesome for a while I finally was fortunate enough to meet up with a fellow hiker Josh whom was also on the trail to Harpers Ferry, WV.  Unknowingly we would be hiking with each other for the remainder of the trip....pretty cool.  I did a lot of walking in the rain this day but in the end I was able to make it to a good shelter and relax.

View from shelter....Rain it was!