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

My “Nero” day was a real morale booster.  After restocking in Front Royal, I hiked 4 miles up the mountain into the national park and then promptly out to the Terrapin Station hostel.  So it’s another night with sheets and clean laundry.  Sweet! 🍕 

There were raspberries along the trail. 

And I met some NOBO thru-hikers.

The Gentleman

Pick Me Up

And here I am “Puffin” it up the mountain.

And finally, I have yet to see a bear.  Not that I want to…

Yes, that was on the trail; it’s not a dog track. 🐻

Tomorrow I hike back into Shenandoah National Park.  I am only 10 miles behind my itinerary but should hike into Loft Mountain Campground on the 8th to meet Andrew, just as planned.

A good book has no ending. – Robert Frost

   

I spent the night in front Royal and woke up to guess what, more rain. The forecast looks like rain for the next three days so within 24 hours I should be soaking wet from head to toe again.  Here’s the view of the Shenandoah’s from outside my motel room.

 
I told myself I wouldn’t quit unless I had a good nights sleep, was rested, fed and dry.  (That’s currently all true.)  To be on honest I dread going back out on the trail today. But that’s what I do…

Here are some additional shots from yesterday’s 15 mile trek:

Trail:  
Railroad crossing at Manassas Gap:  

Stream crossing (got water here):  

One of many old stone walls along the trail from long ago: 

I’m going to try to take a nero day (near zero in thru-hikers lingo) today and only hike to the first shelter outside of Shenandoah national Park or a hostile that’s located on the north end of the park with all the rain the hostel sounds better.  Either way it should be less than 5 miles I have to hike today, day #6 on the trail.

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. – Robert Frost

I didn’t get a chance to make a post yesterday. I took an early break at about 3 PM and stayed at Dicks Dome last night. The rest was nice and I’m on the trail again this morning. This post is coming from the top of the ridge coming out of the shelter where I have a decent cell phone signal and I’m in touch with the world.  

Yesterday was a great hike and I even stopped and found some blackberries one, of several hikers treats.  

I’m going to try to make it all the way to Front Royal tomorrow. It will be my longest day on the trail with the goal of 15 miles. If all goes well I’ll be sleeping in a bed with clean sheets, taking a hot shower, and drying every single piece of clothing I have, which is soaking wet.

I’ll try to post more later today. 

And I made it…   Staying in Front Royal, VA for the night at a dumpy motel . 

By the way, all my pictures will be downloaded onto carousel when I get a Wi-Fi signal.  That should happen in Front Royal and every town I hit on the trail.

The noble-minded are calm and steady. Little people are forever fussing and fretting. – Confucius

It’s day three and I’m off to tackle the roller coaster with a full pack on my back.  I’ll be staying on the trail tonight so don’t worry if you don’t see a post from me for a day or two.

20 miles down, 1,000+ to go…

On the coaster:  

Here’s Peaches – I loved the kilt.

  
And this guy was hanging out at Sam Moore shelter.

  

I made it through the roller coaster and I am sleeping at Rod hallow shelter tonight. Planning for another 9 1/2 miles tomorrow. I hope I get a good nights sleep because I am really tired

Confidence is contagious; so is lack of confidence. ― Vince Lombardi