Today was a day of just hiking.  Started at Blackrock and did 13.1 miles to Calf Mountain, not nearly as fast as yesterday however.  I think I cashed in my trail legs too early.  I’ll be heading into Waynesboro tomorrow and getting a hot shower, laundry, and perhaps a second “zero” day.

Someone passed out shots at the shelter last evening.  I had the white chocolate and peppermint one.  What a treat! 
On the more serious side, we all hang our food at night to keep the critters (bears) away,  

And I even saw a dragon on the trail. 

And yes, it’s raining again…

I can resist anything except temptation. – Oscar Wilde

I’m not going to post many pics today.  I’m at Blackrock Hut in Shenandoah National Park tonight.  I will add pics when I get to Waynesboro in 2 days, or sooner if I get LTE service somewhere.  Many are already on Carousel.

I now have LTE, so here are a few pics.

Lunch at the wayside.  

Ivy Creek Spring. 

Someone brought shots.  Nice!  I had the white chocolate and peppermint. 
Made great time today. Hit the trail at just after 12:30 and covered the first 9 miles in 4 hours, although most was downhill.  I easily made Blackrock Hut before evening – another 2.5 miles. I think my “trail legs” are starting to come.

Saw a mama and baby bear 50 yds off trail earlier. Count = 3.  By the way, you won’t see any bear pics from me.  I spend my time near them making sure they know I’m there and increasing distance safely.  They are wild creatures.  Duh!

A special thanks to Adam Hastings, the “trail angel” of Charlottesville.  He singlehandedly made it possible for Andrew to hike with me.  

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. – Walt Disney

The last 2 days I’ve been hiking with Andrew.  He was told by one of the thru-hikers we met that if he didn’t pick a trail name he could be “Weenie”.  So now he’s “Barbershop”.  We did 20+ miles together over the last two days, singing barbershop songs as we hiked.  I think I’m beginning to get my trail legs.  The old guy did great with the youngster.

  We climb a lot of mountains.

 
We met lots of NOBO’s on the trail including “Star,” an awesome pooch.

 
Here’s Bronco, Lucky, Pine Cone, and Luna.

  
And Disconnect.

 
This is Broken Feather, who is SOBO with me, with his Platypus Gravity filter.

  
You ask, “Puffin, what do you drink on the trail?”  The answer is purified spring water infused with fresh wild raspberries.

We passed this on the trail today.  900 miles to Springer, another milestone.  
And finally, “Turtle Pack” was overnight hiking with her mom.

 

Andrew and I are in Charlottesville, VA with his brother-in-law Adam.  Had steak at Outback and did laundry.  Tomorrow Andrew flies home and I get back on the trail to finish off Shenandoah National Park over the next couple of days.

You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. – Winston Churchill

Signal stinks here so no pics or thrills.  Andrew and I had a great hike today. We are settled in for the night at Hightop Hut. Hiked 12.5 today and 9.5 to do tomorrow. Will spend the night at Adam and Nickie’s tomorrow. Met some interesting people today. Signal stinks so I can’t post but pics are on Carousel.  Will post more tomorrow evening when there’s WiFi. 

All people know the same truth. Our lives consist of how we choose to distort it. – Woody Allen

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