Date: 2003-05-19
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Dalgren Campgrounds 
Miles today: 10.9

"Oh what a beautiful morning...oh, what a wonderful day..."   It really was a beautiful morning and wonderful day. I awoke to a brisk 45* sunny crystal blue-sky day. Rain? What rain? The weather topped out somewhere in the 60s making for a perfect hiking conditions. "Not too hot and not too cold - just right." I'm so happy!   I'm not sure but another reason this may have been an exceptional day of hiking was because of my new sleeping bag. I love my new bag! Feather soft (literally) and comfy cozy warm. I started off in the bare minimum (briefs and bra) and happily stayed that way all night. Most excellent! Now if only I could convince myself that I don't need to wake up every time I turn over to check that I'm still on the pad it'll be absolutely perfect! Love this bag!   I was up, out and hiking by 0745. By 0945 I was enjoying a morning snack while wandering the Gathland State Park. By noon it was a long and leisurely lunch atop White Rocks with a view of the valley below. From there onward, upward and down to where I now sit. Day one was great; day two was even better.   Back to Gathland State Park, it's located in one of the major fighting zones of the civil war. Lee and Grant seemed to love this area as much as the hikers of today do. This park though was originally a civil war correspondent's summer home. Lucky guy! Besides many of the actual buildings still remaining, there is a monument constructed long ago for the war correspondents. It also included the all important restroom, running water and soda machines! Alas, no change or $1.00 bills so no soda for me. And they were only .40! {Sigh}   I'm not complaining now (that would show up in the M&G section if I were) but I will say that the trail, both yesterday and today, often resembled more so that of a washed out ravine or gully than a trail. Actual babbling brooks at some parts with sounds included. The amount of rain the NE has received over the last month or so is truly wrecking havoc on the trail. There is definitely going to be trail work available should you get an inkling to work hard outdoors one day. On an up note, if you don't feel like trekking down some mountainside to get water all you have to do is hike on a bit and you'll probably soon hit a gurgling stream coming at you in the middle of the trail. No dry season here... yet.   On the way here this afternoon I actually arrived at my planned destination an hour after my 1.5-hour lunch. Being only 2:15 I really couldn't stop in a dark and dingy shelter now could I? Glad you agree. This site was less than 2 miles further and comes equipped with a free HOT water shower! Pretty nifty! I've already had one and am thinking of a second. Not because I need one (only been out for two days and haven't had to sweat yet) but because I can!   Not long before arriving here I had the opportunity to chat with a 93, 94, and 95 AT hiker called Hoofer. It seems that Hoofer made three valiant attempts to thru hike. Either ¢too much partying, out of money, or lack of gumption thwarted each attempt". Now he didn't say whether those were the excuses for the various years or they all applied to each one of them! Now he meanders between Harpers and one or two of the shelters. He hung it up on the thru hiking dream. Silly guy!   My first thru hiker has arrived for the evening - Quazimoto. Nice guy. His hike has started out quite differently than most hikers. He began in Vermont, hiked south to Salisbury, CT, stopped for his sister's graduation, hitched to Harpers, and is now hiking north to Salisbury where he'll skip back up to Vermont. After summitting he plans on coming back to Harpers and following the seasons south to Springer. Interesting hike. Youth of today --they're so smart!With Quazimoto came news of some old friends of mine - Skipper and Dusty. Having hiked the trail in '01 these two went on to take charge of Bears Den Hostel in Virginia, which is the castle in the woods where thru hikers were always welcome. I had heard that they were no longer running it and supposedly moved on to Harpers to run a hostel there. While in town yesterday Char and I stopped by the hostel hoping that the story was true but unfortunately no one was home and check-in isn't until 6p. Too late for me. It turns out that had I been smart enough to leave a note I would have found them. They are the caretakers now with Skipper running a heavy shuttle system. Exactly what I need too! No harm done. I understand that there's a pay phone a couple of miles up the trail tomorrow so I'll give them a call. It would be great to see them.   Besides wanting to see them there's also an ulterior motive. I need a shuttle tomorrow. Tomorrow morning I will arrive at Wolfsville Road and then skip the next 29 miles. Last year I had the opportunity to hike with one of my favorite hikers from '01, Pizazz, and that's the section that we did. As much as I would enjoy it I really see no reason (time?) to rehike that section. It's my intent to skip around to Caledonia State Park where our mini adventure came to a halt. So yes, I'm skipping ahead... but not really.   As for my journal entries for that portion of the trail, if they're not inserted while I'm out here this time, I will include them upon my return. The days will look funny but it'll be in order. I think.   Before I forget, Mahalo Char. My spicy Thai dinner was divine! Hummm.. Tomorrow I believe it will be chili. Yummy!   Okay, Quazimodo just stated that I'm the first person he's camped with in 13 days and it's great to have someone to talk to. I'll take that as a pleasant hint and happily chat with him. Love trails talk and tales. So for tonight, hunker down in your comfy cozy feather bed and sleep well. We'll chat again tomorrow.   BS&T: A&P/M&Gs. Happily there are few.   A&P: hips are still feeling a bit bruised and red but not nearly as much as yesterday. Maybe I've lost an inch or two! NOT! The rest of me feel that warm and fuzzy workout feeling. That's good.   M&G: rocks! Whoever thought of taking the trail across rocks needs their head examined! Wahhhhh!   Critter count: 2x chipmunks (so cute!), 9x part-time southbound 2-legged pack mules