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

I planned to hike 15 miles today, but my legs would not take me fast enough.  The will was there, but the way only took me 10.5 miles.  I am at Skyland for the night and have a room! 

I climbed 3 mountains today: Mary’s Rock (3,347′), The Pinacle (3,601′), and Stony Man (4,011′).  Perhaps that’s what slowed me down.  Here’s the view from Stony Man.  

Going up Mary’s Rock I met a guy who recognized my sailing shirt.  Meet Matt, who works at APS (Annapolis Performance Sailing).  APS is my go-to place for sailboat hardware.  

I met several thru-hikers including Juke Box, who started NOBO on May 1st.  He’s making great time and hiking ultra-light.  

I’m planning for my first “zero” day tomorrow.  My legs need to recover.  I’ll be doing Prana’s yoga move to help.  Thanks for the tip!

Success seems to be connected to action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. ― Conrad Hilton

Sorry no post yesterday.  To my surprise there is no cellular service in the park.  I hiked 10 miles to Gravel Springs Hut yesterday and the last few miles were in the rain.  It’s still raining now. 😂

I wanted to quit again last night, but I wasn’t warm, dry, fed, and rested; so I am still out here hiking.  I slept in the shelter last night.  I will avoid it as much as possible in the future. The hammock is much more comfortable.

My hiking partner for the last day has been Pale Horse.  He’s a 6’4″ 130lb 20 yr old from Reading, PA with a great attitude but few resources.  I’ll attach a pic when I get service.

 
1.5 miles down – 12 more to go today.

12.5 down – 1 to go.  As of today, I have hiked 80 miles.  Here are some more pics:

BTW.  I saw one bear yesterday, he was next to the trail and ran away into the woods.  Bear Count = 1. 🐻

Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down. – Socrates