Date: 2006-05-02
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy 800 miles! I've had the most random songs in my head all day today. Mostly Christmas songs: Rockin Around the Christmas Tree, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, etc. Weird. Anyway, we had planned to stop at the Seeley-Woodworth Shelter only 15.8 miles away, but when we got there at 1 pm for lunch, we decided to keep moving. Had a good morning of hiking from Brown Mountain Creek. Followed the creek a little ways before heading up Bald Knob, our first climb of the day. We both slept better last night with the stream in the background and were ready to go this morning. Made it up and over the knob and headed down to the first shelter. Did not stop since it is .5 miles off the trail and made the climb up Cold Mountain. At the tope was a big grassy area where we sat down to have a snack and enjoy the view. Snapped a couple of pictures and on we went. I must have been daydreaming today because the next section was a complete blur. I know we went up to Wolf Rocks and were disappointed because the view was not very good. But beyond that I am not sure. Made it to the shelter for lunch where we met a southbound section hiker heading to Damascus from Harpers Ferry. Talked with him for a bit and got ready to tackle the last 6.9 for the day. From the shelter we walked down to the Fish Hatchery Road where we could have gone to a bed and breakfast for the night. About 2.5 miles off the trail is the Dutch Haus B&B that we have heard good things about, but decided not to stay ourselves since we are taking time off in Waynesboro. Anyway, past the road, we climbed up to Spy Rock. Set our packs down and climbed the huge rocks to the top where we had amazing views. We could see the mountains we had been over already today and also where we were headed - The Priest. While we were up there the clouds started rolling in, and it looked like it might rain. Took a quick picture and climbed back down to our packs. From Spy Rock, we finished the climb up to Main Top Mountain and went down to Crabtree Farm Road. Crabtree Falls is a beautiful waterfall that Swiftcreek and I have hiked to before. Did not go today because it was too far off the trail, but Swiftcreek's grandparents used to camp at the meadows. Pretty neat. From the road, we had a quick .9 climb halfway up the Priest to this shelter. Great day of hiking. I had so much energy today I felt like I could climb mountains. Oh wait, that is what I did. Anyway, we are here alone again tonight - I'm starting to get used to this. We'll have a short 13.6 tomorrow, and then we are going all the way to Waynesboro (~21 miles) on Thursday. We'd go crazy sitting in the shelter 5 miles out of town on Thursday night, so we are just going all the way in. Sounds like a plan to me.Looks like we may have some rain tonight. Did not get any this afternoon, but the clouds just moved back in overhead. We'll see. Oh! We had trail magic here at the shelter, too. Soda and beer (we split the last soda) in the creek and Little Debbie snack things hanging in a bag in the shelter. Nice! Anyway, hope all is well where you are! Two days to Waynesboro. Looking forward to spending some time with Mama Phyllis, Jeremy and Nick! Love you family!