Date: 2004-07-09
From: Front Royal VA

To: Harpers Ferry WV
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: clear sky

Gather (Adam) called in from front Royal VA. He is staying at the Super 8 Motel there. I saw 4 big Rattlers on this leg of the trail, they seem to be all over the place. I met one Hiker who said he has never seen a Rattle Snake in the wild, guess he don't look down much. Weather has been ok, always seems to be the afternoon shower, gotta have something to keep me clean. I have been hiking with Rowboat and Chase, good people to hike with. I had been hearing much about the Terrapin Station Hostel, I went on by it. Heard it was a great place to stay. Slimer might want to stay there. Seeing a lot of huge ant hills, never saw any this big. I was hiking late last night and got caught between shelters, I know it's a No No but I found this pretty spring off the trail and pitched my tent beside it. That night I found out why they want you to camp at the Shelters here in the Park. It seems every wild animal from miles around came to drink from the spring (most were bears) didn't see them but could hear them grunting, growling, snorting and stomping around. It seems they did not appreciate me camping at their watering hole. Didn't get much sleep last night, and I can assure you I won't make that mistake again. I remember my Dad telling me three things, (1) Try not to camp alone on a ridge, wild animals like to travel the ridge lines, and also lightning. (2) Don't camp beside a stream or spring, you could get caught in a flash flood, also wild animals come to water at night. (3) Best place to camp alone away from shelters is on the side of the mountain between the ridge and water. Only reason I camped there, it was dark and late, too tired to go on. It is so pretty through here I will section hike this part of the trail again in the future. Called home all is ok there, Freckles is still holding her own. Dad said he had a spare BrassLite stove if me or the Slimer needs one. While I was talking to Dad the Slimer called in, he is in Waynesboro VA downtown at the YMCA, he told Dad the Afton Inn I stayed at a few days ago burned to the ground last night, no one was hurt they suspect arson Slimer said. My next stop will be Harpers Ferry WV ( Halfway Point) and I get to eat the Half Gallon of ice cream to join the halfway club.Mr. Clean e-mailed Dad, said Doc, Dolphin and Nitro were nearing Harpers Ferry on July, 2ndand were moving at a good pace. Mr. Clean mentioned that the Navigator may have gotten off the trail and went home, I hope not.Next stop Harpers Ferry, 54.5 miles, should be there next Monday July 12th. Will, Josh and Marty, you guys made a mistake by not being here, I'm having a ball :0) (grin)..............................................................................................................................................................July, 9th 2004Slimer Called in from Waynesboro VA, made it 39.3 miles from his last stop on Fish Hatchery road. He was planning to stay at the Afton Inn, but it burned to the ground last night. Caught a ride into waynesboro, trying to figure out where to stay. He got a room at the Budget Motel, ate and resupplied at the Kroger store in Waynesboro. Slimer slept on the ground last night, said it was the best rest he has had on the trail. Slimer mentioned the Dutch Haus he stayed at on Fish Hatchery Road, highly recommends it to anyone, they were great to him, did his laundry for him, cooked him a wonderful breakfast and even shuttled him back to the trail and all for $25.00.He met up with "Tree Man" on the trail. Slimer said the Priest Mountains were not that rough. Saw another Bear and deer all over the place.The Slimer just never learns, he came upon this huge hollow tree with a round knot hole in it. Well ol Slimer just had to stick his head in the knot hole andyell's real loud inside the hollow tree, it seems something was living in the tree and Slimer startled it somewhat. Anyway whatever it was ran out the top of the tree, knocked a dead limb off which fell and hit ol Slimer in the back while his head was still in the tree. Said it scared the *%^%^ out of him, he took off running down the trail never did see the critter. Slimer said he would have made some good time that day except he was running southbound and had to backtrack to pick up his pack beside the tree.