Date: 2004-07-02
From: Campbell Shelter

To: US 220 / I 81 Interchange
Miles today: 15.4

I was a little lazy around camp this morning. I had a good hike ahead, but I had plenty of time. A lot of today's hike was exposed. It was a nice clear day (most of it). My feet were feeling pretty good and so was I. The view of Carvin's resevoir was pretty cool. You are sitting on this rock face, overlooking this lake. Late on in the day, I was on the otherside of the mountain range, looking at the otherside of the resevoir. It was kinda like a "U" (the hike). Tinker cliffs is an awesome place. You walk along these cliffs for half a mile or so. You can see so far, and it is just undescribable. I really recommend taking your time through here. I arrived at Lambert Meadows shelter around lunchtime. It was peaceful, very close to a creek. I took a nice long break, read from my book, shelter, ate lunch. The shelter mentioned several bears in the near past. Barking Spider had already passed through this area, along with names of hikers I would never meet. Some very interesting journals. The hike to Angels gap was pretty brutal. I mean, the hike itself wasn't too difficult, just really hot, and a lack of water. I got really dehydrated through here.   Not far after Lambert Meadows shelter, I met several large groups of teenagers on hikes. They looked like someone had just beaten the crap out of them. This one kid had the largest pack I have ever seen in my life. On the back of it, was this huge blue canning pot, I guess to make dinner with. If I were him, I'd be pissed to have to carry that. The descents were very steep, and the trail in poor shape. A lot of erosion has happened here. I finally come to my last major descent of the day. There had been a lot of ups and downs, but this was the last one. Even though I was so thirsty, I was motivated. I really hauled.....well, you know, down the trail. I'm not far now. I arrive at the highway, and across is this convinience store. I buy a huge gatorade, and down it...(cold headache!). I talk with the guy about Iraq ( the change over in gov't was supposed to happen soon). Being out on the trail makes it difficult to keep up with current events. That is really great, but sometimes you just want to know. I hiked to the truck stop, where Mary is coming to pick me up. I used to think truck stops were dirty, and dangerous. I believe they are like an oasis. They have showers, places to eat in safety. Truck drivers are so important, and for a hiker, the truck stops are like nirvana. I buy some food, rest and relax...read my book. Mary walks in and I shower and we go home. This is my last pick up from Mary until the end of my hike. I'm taking a few weeks off of church to hike as far as I can. I had planned to be about 56 miles further north by this point in the summer, but not having my complete spring break to hike really messed things up. At first my summer destination was Harpers Ferry, then it was Pine Grove Furnance and the 1/2 way point. Now, it may be back to Harpers Ferry. To make Pine Grove, I will have to hike some big miles, not take any zero mile days and not have any problems. Sunday, I come back for the rest of the summer's trip.