Date: 2008-06-09
From: Swift Run Gap, Shenandoah National Park, VA

To: Lewis Mtn Campground, Shenandoah National Park, VA
Miles today: 8.3

I was up till after midnight last night writing my journal and answering some emails.I was slow getting up this morning. I had no plans of leaving till checkout at 11am. I wanted to finish answering emails....I had some emails from all the way back to the 1st of June.I stayed at Elkton Motel last night and the room was fine, but there's no food nearby.The motel doesn't even have coffee, so I tried not to think about the meal I was missing. :-(I did stay and got caught up on all my journaling and emails, so I feel real good about that. It's been such a busy time for me for the last week or two that I just haven't been able to keep up.I packed up my stuff and walked out of the motel at 10:50am.I walked downhill towards Elkton and started seeing restaurants in about a mile.I walked into, then out of a Chinese restaurant. I didn't like the selection of food and I always try to go with my gut feeling about stuff.There was a Subway across the street, so I went there and ordered a 12 inch Italian BMT, chips and a Coke.I sat there and ate that, then thought about ordering one to pack out, but it was close to lunch time and there was a line forming.I walked next door to the Dollar Store and picked up a few items, then walked over a mile back towards the motel.My plan was to let what happened in the next hour determine whether I walk north on the Appalachian Trail today, or I get the air conditioned room for another night.I figured if I didn't get a ride in an hour, I would walk across the road and get a room.I started hitching a ride and got one in about 20 minutes with two guys having a beer.They offered me a beer, but I said it would make climbing that first hill way too hard in this high heat and humidity.The sweat was rolling off me even when I was just standing still hitching the ride.They dropped me off at Swift Run Gap at 12:45pm and I headed north on the Trail.I did good today....I waited till it got real hot before I started walking. :-)It was probably in the mid 90s and the high was supposed to be 99 degrees.I had about a 700 or 800 foot climb right off the bat.I got about a mile up that hill and walked within about 8 yards of a doe and I was able to get her picture.This walk of mine for '08 has had the temperature spectrum from about 0 degrees all the way up to 100 degrees.I wasn't being bothered by any black flies, but the gnats were dive bombing the whites of my eyes.I kept swatting them away about every 5 seconds and I just got tired of meddlin' around with them, so I got my headnet out and I ended up having a great walk!I have a cheapy headnet from Wal-Mart that is the best one I've found. The regular equipment manufacturers¢ use no-see-um netting and it's very hard to breathe through. Wal-Marts has a bigger mesh and I forget I'm wearing it....and I think it was only a dollar.These high temperatures we're having right now are going to be good in the long run because they are going to make a 90 degree temperature feel pleasant! :-)I stopped at South River Picnic Area where Goosebump The Snow Princess and Rainbow Slick did all the trail magic yesterday for Bus Driver, Kyonite, Sunkist, Sunbeam, Aggie and Forecast....but there wasn't anyone here. :-(There was good cold water, so that was nice! :-)I ate some diced peaches, then repacked the few things I bought at the Dollar Store so they rode better in my pack.I sat there for a while enjoying the peace and quiet.I filled my water bottle again and walked on.I had called Queen Diva this morning about an email I got from her.Queen Diva had nothing to say about my ol' buddy Chief. She told me that if you don't have anything nice to say about someone, then don't say anything about them.Hey Chief....I guess I don't have anything to say to you either. Ha! :-)I climbed another 800 foot mountain next. It was Bald Face Mtn.I stopped at the summit and took a break and let my back air out from all the sweat.I walked on and planned on getting water from a spring near Pocosin Cabin, but I still had 1/3 liter left and only another 2 miles to Lewis Mtn Campground.I walked easy and those 2 miles went by fast.I got to Lewis Mtn Campground and decided to stay.I got a soda and sat down and enjoyed something cold with carbonation going down my throat on this hot day.I saw Gator who is also staying here and tenting nearby.I set up my tent, then walked up to the store area where there's a $1.00 shower.That was a GOOD $1.00 shower! :-)I started it warm just long enough to get in, then kept turning it colder, till it was all cold water running over me. That felt great! :-)I didn't do many miles today, but even with near record high temperatures, it was another great day on the Appalachian Trail. :-)