Date: 2008-05-05
From: US 250/Waynesboro, VA/Tree Streets Inn

To: Stealth camp south of Skyline Drive MP 92.4
Miles today: 13.4

One of the nice things about sleeping in a full size bed is the ability to sprawl out and know that you don't have to worry about hitting another hiker in the process.This morning I was able to sleep in, waking up at 7:00AM instead of the usual 6:00AM. After taking a shower I began the process of packing up.One that was done I meandered downstairs to the livingroom and began reading a piece of "Awol On The Appalachian Trail", by David Miller(Awol-AT '03). During this I was called into the dining room for breakfast.Breakfast consisted of two cups of coffee, strawberries, yogurt, a bowl of Cheerios, three waffles and two pieces of bacon. It was a delicious breakfast and I left the breakfast table at a perfect fullness level.It was then time to march to the post office. This is where I picked up the maps I need to get me to Harper's Ferry, and I also picked up tent stakes I ordered online from Six Moons Design.Here's the funny thing about the tent stakes. In Roanoke I ordered six 9-inch stakes. When I checked the box at the Post Office, I discovered they sent me six inch stakes, not nine. I called them and left a message. Tomorrow I shall try to call them again. After checking out of the Tree Streets Inn, I walked to the library where I completed some computer chores and did a little reading. I could have received a free ride back to the trail from Bill at the Inn, but I wanted to lounge around a bit before hitting trail. Cookie was getting a ride at 11:30AM from a trail angel in town, so I joined on that ride instead.We received a ride from a man named Leonard. On the way back to the trail we stopped and grabbed some coffee at a local coffee shop.Cookie and I were on trail at 12:00PM, our original plan was to go seven miles to the first shelter, giving us a short day out of town.About one mile into out hike we stopped at a kiosk and picked up our required permits for Shenendoah National Park(SNP), seven miles north of this kiosk is the official southern boundry for SNP.All the way since Georgia I have been hearing about the great terrain in SNP, it was now my turn to form an opinion, and I have 101 miles in the park to do so.The terrain today was fairly nice. There was a short climb out of McCormick Gap, but it did not last long, and I really should not complain today at all.Cookie and I reached the shelter junction around 2:15PM, after a little talking we determined we would pick up water about a mile north and then find a nice spot to camp after about another hour of hiking.We found our home for tonight around 5:00PM, a perfect time to end the hiking day.As I was starting to brush my teeth, I noticed two deer were meandering their way towards our camp. I pointed the deer out to Cookie and we stood and watched them for quite a while. I took a couple of photos and then lyed down in my sleeping bag.The two deer are still wandering around as I write this. I hope to see a bear while in SNP, but I hope to see it from a safe distance. I am perfectly content with not having any up close and personal experiences with a bear while on this trip.Well, I think I shall read and sleep, but not at the exact same time.Good night, and good luck.Kirby