Reflections June 19
After my last post, June 4, so much has happened…
Made it to Rockfish Gap, the southern end of the Shenandoah National Park, and the hopping-off place for Waynesboro, Virginia.
I hopped off.
In Waynesboro, I had perfect timing for their third annual hiker festival. Met new friends and ran into known ones. LoFi, Mountain Laurel, Meet Man, Amanda (Raptor?), Blue Bird, Bob and Bruce…. Stayed at a B&B, in their attic hiker hostel – the lovely “Bowman House” run by Kay and Dave. The town provided a fantastic breakfast buffet for hikers on Sunday morning. I was first in line, then found a ride back to trail and entered the Shenandoahs! After three days and two nights in the SNP, including passing the 900 mile mark (!), I was picked up by my cousin Tommy Hill. Tommy and Kemp welcomed my dirty self to their fabulous home and fed me so well.
Next day, Ashleigh flew in! Tommy and Kemp hosted us with love and humor through the following Saturday.
That time with Ashleigh, and also with my cousins, off the trail, was much needed. My mind body and soul were in a much better place when I got back into the woods for a few more days of the Shenandoahs.
Back in the Shenandoahs, I fell in with the lovely “Good News”, and after we emerged from the park, we joined back up with Viking!! That was just to be for one afternoon and morning in Front Royal, where we were hosted by Mountain Home B&B and hostel, and grabbed some meals and resupply.
From Front Royal I’d been in touch with friend from my Horne Island adventures, Stan Flint, and he picked me up after my MUDDY 20 mile day. My Achilles tendon was mad at me, and Stan took me to the home of another dear Horne Island friend, Lily Pearl Pai, who’s recently moved nearby with her husband. So great to see them both. I gave my body a zero after the five days back on trail, and tomorrow- back on trail. In two days- HARPERS FERRY!
