I survived my first stealth camp last night.  It was actually nice, except it was really windy on Hazeltop at ~3,800 ft.  Went to bed early, got up and on the trail before the rain moved in – again.  I hiked 12.5 miles yesterday and another 4.5 this morning.  I have rented a cabin at Lewis Mtn for Andrew and me for the night.  (Brent, you would like this.) We have a big day planned for tomorrow.  He and I have 20 miles to cover in 2 days.

I will add pics below when I get a better cell signal.

Stealth camp.  

  Hiking through the “green tunnel”.  

 Lewis Mtn Cabin.  

He who dares, wins. – Winston Churchill

I’m back on the trail today and I have finally hiked 100 miles.  Wow!  Only 923 to go…

Here I am just outside Big Meadows were I stopped for lunch.   
 Now it’s off into the backcountry tonight.  Tomorrow I meet Andrew at Lewis Mountain.

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. – Will Rogers

One final thing.  Can anyone see my Carousel Photos?   The last pic should be my apple crisp with blackberry ice cream.  

I ate at #7 with the Wingard’s after my first day on the trail.   Top Burgers

Nat asked me why I chose to go SOBO (southbound).  My original intention was to do a “Flip-Flop” – Harpers Ferry to Katahdin (ME) NOBO followed by Harpers Ferry to Springer (GA) SOBO.  I only have time to do half this year; I chose part two.  I’ll also end up in GA in the end of September.  The MC Scow Masters Championship starts on September 30th in Chattanooga, TN.  If I end up cutting it close, Barry Klein has promised to pick me up at the end of the trail and even loan me his boat.  Thanks Barry!  My only fear about being SOBO now is being alone.  Some of the fast moving full “Flip-Floppers” may catch up with me to keep me company.  But if it gets really bad, I’ll get transportation north and join the NOBO’s in New England as they head to Katahdin.  Then I’ll have a crazy jigsaw puzzle to finish when I get back on the trail later to finish.  

You never know who’s swimming naked until the tide goes out. – Warren Buffett

Today is a day of rest.  Here is my home for the night at Skyland in Shenandoah Nat’l Park. All my gear is washed and drying in the room. Spending the day reading, writing postcards, and blogging in the lobby.So, all the thru-hikers boast about their miles per day.  “Have you done your 20 mile day?  Have you done your night hike?”  I hear lots of that; I have done neither.  I have started keeping track of my milage covered, to go, and average.  So far, I am averaging 9 miles per day including the zero I am doing today.  I need to average 11 in order to finish in time. That’s just discouraging so far.  I am told the miles will come when I get my trail legs in another week or two.  I’ll be taking my time until I get through the Shenandoahs.  Andrew will be hiking with me in 2 days!  👍

BTW, my reading glasses broke. So I’m going to be using my ultralight backup glasses.  Styling! 😎 

Also, when you see me write NOBO and SOBO , I am referring to hiking direction – northbound and southbound.  I am SOBO.

A good story can take you on a fantastic journey. – Walt Disney