Date: 2005-05-22
From: Stealth camping at Keys Gap

To: Harpers Ferry, VA
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Number 93. That¢s what I registered as when I passed through HF. They took my picture for the 2005 hiker album at the ATC. I was around number 170 when I passed through Neels Gap on the third day of the hike. They say that half of the people registered at this point will still drop out before Maine. Doc also went thru the ATC today but I did not see him in town and don't know if he went on or is staying in town tonight.I spent the afternoon site seeing and eating. The Hill Top Restaurant had an AYCE buffet. It was a little pricey but it offered a great view. It was the same view I had hiking, but what the heck, I was hungry. After three trips to the buffet they brought me the bill. I guess that was a sign I was eating too much. I was getting full so I finished my dessert and started site seeing.I ran into Senator and Wing It while looking for one of only two pay phones they have in the town. Senator said I could use his cell phone. I called the family and talked to Yvonne, Stephanie and Nicholas. It was great talking to everyone since they are not always home when I go into a town and resupply. I miss everyone very much and can't wait to see them all again. Senator also let me use the phone tonight to call my son, now I am caught up on calls until I get to Duncannon, PA.My son informed I needed to call home more often. It seems my wife was convinced that I had been kidnapped on the trail or something. My son is one not to miss out on an opportunity like that. He called her back later and asked if she had been watching CNN, and told her that two rappers, Rza and Method Man, had kidnapped a hiker and were holding him for randsome. I thought it was funny, but I doubt she did.My goal of eating my way through SNP was achieved. I weighted myself at the ATC and I had not lost anymore weight since the last time I weighed myself. That is a real good thing at this point. It looks like I'll be able to do some more eating the next two days thru Maryland. Maryland will be the 6th state that I will have passed through. Pennsylvania is next, and it is another long state with lots of rocks along the trail. As a result, I will have shorter distance days then I've been having. I should make it thru the 230 miles in three weeks or less.I told you I would update you on people I have been hiking with. So tonight I'll introduce you to Senator. He is 28 and has a BA degree in electrical engineering and a minor in physics. He spent three years in the army prior to going to college. He is good company on the trail and once he gets off he will be going back to college. He said he always wanted to be one of three things growing up, a comedian, chef or a vet. He said he already can cook, and he is pretty good at making people laugh, so he is going back to college to be a vet. He's bigger than I am and carries a heavier pack than I do. Although he hikes faster than I normally do, we have been hiking the same distances lately. As a result, I've been seeing him on and off at the shelters the last couple of weeks. On another note, he has some body piercings and dreadlocks. He could scare you in a dark alley if you ever ran into him there. Then again he probably looks at me thinking what's an old fart like me doing out here. Once you talk to him you can quickly tell how smart and easy going he is. It has certainly taught me not to prejudge people, especially here on the trail. He also is on trailjournals.com and you can search for ¢Senator¢ to read his journals. It¢s quiet time here at the Hostel and everyone is headed to bed. I'll head that way too. They have an AYCE breakfast tomorrow, so I need to rest up and eat all I can to hike on in the morning.