Date: 2008-06-05
From: Grace Lutheran Church Hostel, Waynesboro, VA

To: Riprap Mtn, SNP, VA
Miles today: 16.9

I slept ok last night. I really don't like sleeping around other people and there were 15 of us in all....but it was a big hall.I remember one guy snoring for about half an hour and lots of people turning over and the cots made noise.I had my mp3 player on for half the night, so it wasn't all that bad.The hostel itself is fantastic!The Grace Lutheran Church really puts a lot of effort into making the hostel a great place that's always got a host to watch over things and help out.Gourmet Dave and Sue were the hosts last night and they really helped four late hikers out.The four didn't get in till almost 10pm. They were hungry, wet and tired. Sue drove them all up to McDonalds so they could eat, then her and Gourmet Dave got them set up with cots for the night.I woke up at 6am and walked into the kitchen area.Gourmet Dave was already up and had the coffee pot started. :-)We sat there talking and enjoying the morning coffee. Sue had to leave right away to get ready for work.Hikers started slowly coming into the kitchen for coffee.Zack looked really bad! :-) You can see how bad in my today's photos.I walked outside and sent in a few more photos for yesterday's journal, then packed up.Jennifer showed up to take over as morning host and Gourmet Dave left for school....after I thanked him for all his and Sue's generosity. Thanks again Sue and Gourmet Dave! :-)I said goodbye to Jennifer and thanked her, then left to walk up to Weasie's for breakfast.I wasn't paying attention last night when Sue brought me to the hostel, so I had to guess which way to head to get to Weasie's.I got lucky because I started seeing the downtown section of Waynesboro pretty soon.I was walking in the older section of town when a guy in a car pulled over and asked if I needed a ride to the trailhead.I said that I was heading for Weasie's first so I could have breakfast. He said to throw my pack in the trunk and he'd take me there.His name was Jeff Phillips and I offered to buy him breakfast.He said that he'd buy his own....and mine too. I knew I wasn't going to let that happen.I can't get over how friendly everyone in Waynesboro is.Jeff and I went in and I ordered 3 eggs over easy, bacon, homefries, toast and more coffee. :-)The waitress came by and told us that Joe Tyler had paid for both of our breakfasts!Unbelievable!!! Thanks Joe! :-)Jeff drove up to Rockfish Gap and dropped me off at 9:45am. Thanks to you too Jeff for helping out so much! :-)This was one of my best town visits ever on the AT.....Thanks Waynesboro, VA!! :-)I started walking north on the Appalachian Trail and entered into Shenandoah National Park right away.I stopped at the permit kiosk about 3/4 of a mile in and filled mine out.I always love leaving a town and leaving all the noise behind me. It feels so peaceful in the woods each time I leave town, but I also get real excited each time I'm going into a town and I start hearing the cars because I know I'll be eating pretty good soon. :-)I called Goosebump The Snow Princess just to make sure everything was still on for her and her family to meet me at Loft Mtn Campground tomorrow.She had the nerve to call my request list, that I wrote in my journal a day or two ago, a ransom note. Can you Bahleeeeeve that? :-)I walked about two miles and I could just spot the town of Waynesboro once in a while through the trees.The Chinese restaurant that was next to Kroger¢s in Waynesboro is building a brand new place in a building all its own just a block away. That should really be nice for the hikers.I was bad in town because I never finished answering all my emails. Any of you that I haven't answered yet.....hang on, I will get to it! :-)I stopped on the summit of Bear Den Mountain and ate lunch. I had some Vienna sausages, Chex Mix and raisins.I got to Calf Mountain and was taking a couple pictures, when I saw something brown out of the corner of my eye. It was a coyote running off.I stopped at a nice little spring and drank about 1 1/2 liters of water and filled up 2 bottles to carry because I've been drinking more with the hot temperatures and high humidity.Aboman man passed me while I was there. He had gone home for four days and seemed to be in a hurry today.I passed by another small spring and saw Stoker taking a break. I had met him at Dutch Haus the other day.I came up to Gator and walked with him for about 10 minutes.Today was the day of the mountain laurels! I've never seen so many in full bloom before. They were everywhere!I stopped and sat on a tree log about 4:30pm and had an early dinner. I had a summer sausage and crackers and some Chex Mix.HiLo, Steadfast and Gator all passed by me while I was eating.I finished eating and stuck my shoes back on and started walking again. I wanted to get in a few more miles to make tomorrow's walk into Loft Mtn Campground an easy one.I am sooooooo excited about seeing Rainbow Slick, Goosebump The Snow Princess, Baby Bump and Little Jack Spencer tomorrow! It's been too long.Sure hope Goosebump The Snow Princess went grocery shopping today! ;-)I got to the top of Riprap Mountain and walked back into the woods a ways. I found a nice soft flat spot and set my tent up for the night.It was warm when I crawled in....the sweat was rolling off me for a while....till the sun went down.Once again I have to thank Sue and Gourmet Dave, The Grace Lutheran Church, Jeff Phillips, Jennifer and Joe Tyler.....you all are super people!Another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)