Date: 2015-05-19
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

I set my alarm early again. I only had a short 16 mile day planned but it would only be another 5 miles to town...so I was probably going into Waynesboro today.It was a nice morning. A lot less humid than the past couple of days.The hike was fairly nice. A lot of rock falls. And everything was damp and slippery from the rain. Of course I slipped and fell, my poles slipped too I caught myself on my arm and scratched it all to hell. So that was delightful. I came to a place called Cedar Cliffs. The view was amazing!! I stopped for a quick snack at the next road crossing, there was a little spring. After that was a climb up to Humpback Mountian. 3 miles and of course I was dreading it. I feel like the fact that I over think everything causes me to psych myself out. I get so uptight about the climbs that it makes hiking them worse. Although I guess it's good to prepare for the worst so you don't get your hopes dashed. The climb wasnt too bad. I moved right up fairly quickly. Such a nice suprise. After that the trail was pretty nice. I stopped for a quick lunch. I didn't want to take to much time because I really wanted to get into town and not too late either. I had to make myself chill out and relax...the town wasn't moving, it was still going to be there. I met some day hikers out for a quick hike. They has the cutest black fluffy puppy ever!! It totally made my afternoon! I wanted to take her to Maine with me!! I got to the last shelter 5 miles before town at about 3ish. I took a quick break and pretty much decided I was going into town tonight. I met a section hiker named 55, we chatted for a bit. He was staying at the shelter tonight. It was a pretty nice spot, tempting to stay but I had plans. The next 5 miles went pretty quick. Way more ups and downs than I thought. I made it to Rockfish Gap and then had to figure out where to go. It was a bit confusing. There was suppose to be a vistor center around, I started walking where I thought it was but eveverything looked so derelict. I didn't think it could be right. So I went back up to the trail, they had a kiosk with a map and I tried to figure out what the heck was going on. A guy out for a run asked if I needed help and he pointed me in the right direction. I actually had it right the first time. Past the derelict buildings was the road to the vistor center. I knew the vistor center was closed but there were suppose to be packets for hikers outside. It had town and trail angel info. Mainly shuttle info for me to get into town. I got to the bottom of the road and a popcorn stand guy called me over and gave me a trail angel list. Yes!! I didn't have to walk all the way to the visitor center. I called the first name on the list and she came to get me. Awesome lady. I can't remember her name. I want to say it was Cindy. She gave me a tour of the towb and dropped me off at the Grace Lutheran Church Hostel. The place is pretty cool. Free for hikers, donations accepted. It's all run by volunteers, all the food and stuff is given by the congregation. Pretty awesome. There was one other hiker named Sam when I got there. She was walking out to Kroger for pizza and offered me some. I said sure! I went in, registered and showered! It was great. My clothes smelled so bad I couldn't wait to wash them. 007 showed up a little bit later. I didn't think I would see her again. Apparent she got sick and has been moving pretty slow. There were only 3 of us in the histel that night...all female! That never happens, lol. 007 and I stayed up and had a movie night. We watched some wierd spy movie with Robert Redford. Ended up heading to bed after midnight. It's ok, I had a great zero day planned.