After breakfast, we piled in the van and Marcia hauled us to our drop off points and I headed for Waynesboro. I saw Blackout, Pocahontas and Tick as we drove past Reeds Gap but they didn't see me wave. I started hiking from Dripping Rock overlook a bit after 9am.
I'd forgotten how rocky the trail was initially. Lots of cobbles to roll an ankle and prevent a smooth stride. Also a small section running over cliff edge rocks. Good views due to the nice weather though!
After several miles, the trail settled down to a well groomed track with only occasional cobbles and I started to move. I wanted to get to Rockfish Gap before 5pm in order to more easily get a ride into Waynesboro. Little did I know.
By the time I got to Paul Wolfe shelter, five miles out from Rockfish Gap, I was sure I'd finish on time, so I had a leisurely lunch and did some Web surfing. Out in the deep woods yet close enough to the highway to get a two-bar LTE connection. Big change since 2007.
At Rockfish Gap just after three, I took a selfie and as I was finishing, a pickup pulled up. Waynesboro is a very hiker friendly town despite being spread out and off trail, and the truck was one of the local Trail Angels. John Lowdermilk gave me a quick review of town and dropped me off at the Quality Inn, where I'd also stayed in 2007. Beerman, Drop Bear, Bull and other hikers were also there. I'd been chasing Beerman for days, finally caught him because he'd been zeroing a few days with his wife.
6/8/15 - Waynesboro Zero
Logman got in yesterday evening, as did Tick, Blackout and Pocahontas. Harry Potter and Jester, Orion and Prayer are here. Supposedly the Family is here, probably at one of the hostels rather than here at the Quality Inn. I hear the Family will leave tomorrow and do a 21 mile day. Logman and I have agreed to hike together a few days to Big Meadows Campground, where he will drop off to meet his family. We will leave late tomorrow and do a 7 mile to the first shelter. Boston and Dora got here today and will zero tomorrow.
I have scheduled 12 days from tomorrow to Harpers Ferry; only two of those days are 20 mile days. The weather looks good for the next week although the temps will be in the upper 80s. I'm looking forward to the 'Shennies', especially getting past Thornton Gap.
6/9/15 - I got up this morning and felt like I'd been run over. No energy, an all over body ache, no appetite. I talked to Logman and we verified that we can make Big Meadows Campground by Sunday so he can meet his family for a few days, and then took today off as a zero. I went back to my hotel room and except for a trip to CVS and a nearby grill for lunch, I stayed in bed. About 3pm, my body finally let me know what the problem was. A large quantity of toilet paper to clean up and I felt better. Too much town food last night I guess, too big a switch from trail food. And probably poor sleep from overeating said town food.
Co-Ed called about 4pm, says he will be back tonight or tomorrow, so I expect he'll catch up by tomorrow night at the shelter.
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