Half Way There

So here I am, relaxing at my Aunt and Uncles house in Greenbelt MD. It’s really nice having all the comforts of home. A ride to the REI let me resupply and I got some smaller pants. Tomorrow we’ll be driving to another Aunt and Uncle who live in Virginia, sounds like we’re having ribs! Spending several zeros here will give me a break like no other I’ve had. Sure, I have zeroed in the past, but there’s still lots that needs to be done, and I haven’t had wifi like this since home.

It’s been a while since I last posted. Since then I’ve done the Shenandoah’s, stayed at my favorite hostel, and reached the psychological half way point (still numerically not quite there). I also said goodbye to a great friend Soccrosse. He was picked up in Harpers Ferry, the northern end to Virginia. It was his plan to only do the Virginia section, but we joked about him going all the way. I’m sure he is happy to get back on his sleep number bed.

After my zero in Waynesboro, Soccrosse and I left in a drizzle. The self-registration was no issue, and we made a quick plan of how long it would take us to get through the Shenandoah’s. Six days was our estimate, which ended up being what it took. Being in the Shenandoah’s was a bit like the Smokies. I expected this, as it is another national park. Day hikers and section hikers make up the majority of the trail through here. Another difference is the amount of wildlife. Deer are often seen near camp in the evenings, and I saw a total of three bears. It’s clear why this land was designated as a National Park.

It is true what people say about the Shenandoah’s. Overall, the trail is easier than other sections of the AT. This meant that larger days were less of a burden and it also gave us more time at waysides. Waysides are basically just small restaurants of varying quality. One had draft beer and another was more like a snack shack at a High School football game. As long as they had blackberry milkshakes I was happy. Except for the day I felt very sick after hiking again after lunch, that wasn’t too great.

After the beginning drizzle and some rain that night, the weather did clear up. It actually go hot, at least by my standards. I’m used to Santa Cruz, so anything above 80 and I complain. Add humidity and I’m useless. Unfortunately, that’s what I get to look forward to this summer. Hot and humid, the worst combination of weather.

Getting out of the Shenandoah’s I stayed at the Front Royal Terrapin Hostel. It’s not actually in Front Royal proper, rather down a .5 mile side trail to some guys basement. It wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t great. The price was right however, and he does include a shuttle to an awesome grocery store.

After Front Royal, Soccrosse suggested we stay at the Bear’s Den Hostel. It would make two 20 mile days and leave another 20 or two awkward short days before Harpers Ferry. For these reasons I didn’t think it would be a good stop, but as he pointed out, they do have Ben and Jerry’s. I was easily talked into it and I am so glad I went. Bear’s Den was built in the 1930’s as a retreat home for wealthy Washingtonians. It’s also a literal castle. Yes, 12″ thick stone walls and everything. It was also clean, had a good hiker special, and a piano! So I serenaded everyone as best I could, and it was graciously received. This is definitely my favorite hostel thus far, surpassing Top of Georgia which was all the way back in Hiawassee.

The next day, rather than leave the hostel Soccrosse and I decided to slackpack. Slackpacking is where you borrow a day pack and only take food and water and then get a shuttle back to where you started that morning. What we did was take a shuttle to Harpers Ferry in the morning and then just walk back to the Hostel. This was really fun and a good last day of Virginia. I was very surprised how easy the 20 miles were, having no pack makes an enormous difference.

After slackpacking we just needed a second shuttle to Harpers Ferry. That day we spent looking at all of the historic plaques, and I stopped by the ATC headquarters. There I got my photo placed in a binder which will be on record. So if you’re ever in Harpers Ferry, you can find me in the 2016 one.

From Harpers Ferry I took an Amtrak to D.C.. It was very hectic getting off in union station. There were so many people, everyone was rushing, it was chaos. Finally I got my bearings and figured out the Metro, then I met my Uncle Rick in Greenbelt. And that’s that. I’ll be here for the next few days and then it’s back to the trail for me. I’m curious to see if I become antsy taking this time off. Regardless, I’ve been looking forward to it.