Date: 2013-05-15
From: Front Royal, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 47.1

998.6 Miles 5/15/13 Bears Den HostelHad a great visit in Front Royal. It was good to see everyone again. We had a good time in the motel pool. I spent a lot of time in the hot tub soaking my knee and praying that it would improve. Before Gloria left town I arranged to spend another night in town with Wascal at his motel. We thought another day of rest may help my knee. Also, Gloria had brought my knee brace with her so I was wearing it and it takes a while to get used to it. Monday morning I could'nt take it any more. I had to get back on the trail. So after eating breakfast, I packed up and walked across the street and starting hitching back to the trail. (For everyone in Ali's class, while I was hitching a police officer drove by and waved to me) It only took about 10 minutes to catch a ride out of town and I started walking the trail. I promised Gloria that I would take it easy, so I only went 5.5 to the first shelter and set up inside. About 4PM I was happily surprised. My old hiking friends Mot, Hoosier, and Sampson walked in for the night. It was good to see them again, especially Sampson who I had not seen since before Damascus. We got caught up on where they had been and how things were going. One thing I did notice is that they were very paranoid about sleeping in the shelters since everyone has been getting sick. They all used their tents. I think I'll probably follown suit now that the weather is getting warmer and the mice in the shelters will be getting more active at night.Tuesday morning Sampson left real early so Mot, Hoosier, and I hiked together for the morning. When we got to a road we hitched into Linden, VA to a restaurant called the Apple Basket. We ate breakfast and after breakfast we got a ride back out to the trail with gentleman that we had been talking to at the resaurant. When he dropped us off, he gave us each a bottle of apple cider and a bag of chips that he had bought for us back at the restaurant. Once again, another example of the wonderful people you meet on and off the trail.Hoosier had to get off the trail for 5 or 6 days to go back to Indiana and perform a wedding for a friend. He is a Minister and promised to do this for them. So after we drank our cider we said our good byes and he headed out ahead of us. He wanted to make it to the half way point on the trail before he got off so he was going to do some big days to get there. Mot and I look forward for when he gets back on the trail and hike with us. Maybe Mot can explain to him "Who's Your Daddy".Today Mot and I decided that we would shoot for 15 miles but if we had enough time, we would go 18 miles to the Bears Den Hostel. Everything went well and my knee felt better each day after I left Front Royal. Today the only time I had any pain was on very steep downhills. I think I'll continue to wear my brace and take it a little easier until I'm sure all the inflamation is gone. But I sure feel better knowing it's inproving. At the hostel you can ge a bunk and a shower for $17 or a bunk, shower, a pizza, soft drink, and a pint of Ben & Jerrys ice cream for $30. When I told the manager that I wanted the $30 package, he asked for my trail name. When I told him, he said my stay was free. He said I got some trail magice. A good friend, Dr. John Farr of DuBois, PA, was hiking in the area a week before and anticipated my stopping here and pre-paid it for me. Thanks John, you are now an official trail angel.I have a couple of big milestones coming up in the next couple of days. Tomorrow I'll pass the 1000 mile mark on my hike. That incredible, 1000 miles!Then the next day I'll be leaving Virginia and starting into West Virginia. That's only for about 17 miles then I'll got into Maryland, then into my home state of Pennsylvania. I told Mot to make sure his cell phone is charged because we'll have a lot of picture taking to do.After we leave here my goal is to get into Harpers Ferry, WV and go to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and get my picture taken for a thru hiker of the class of 2013. Then Mot and I have to make a small re-supply and get back out on the trail. I have'nt looked to see what lies ahead as far as the trail but when I do I'll pick my next destination to get to. I've found it's a lot easier doing this if I break the trail up into small sections and do a little at a time without looking ahead to far.I'll try to update soon.Happy TrailsPunkin PieSomewhere on the AT