Date: 2010-06-15
From: Harper's Ferry Hostel

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

~~~I have Absolutely NO Directional Skills ~~~So, after high tailing it back to the Hostel and crying in my pillow, I met up with a section hiker from Winter Park, Florida named Pyro the Wise (there is another Pyro on trail and since he is older, he is the wiser). Just a wonderful, wonderful man. We hiked out together the next morning so he could set me straight on the Trail ~~~ yeah ! So it just goes to show, for me, that there was a reason for me to muck up my first day because I have met some really great people that I would have completely missed had I not been the errant fool.We walked a few miles roadside to reach the trail (saw a large deer jump into the woods) and then turned onto the AT. Pyro the Wise was on day 14 of a section hike and could really take off up the mountains and rocks. Little 'ol Snoopy was just gasping for breath. Seriously, I could feel my heart beating outside my chest some moments. We took a break at the Weaverton Cliffs that shows the valley where we came. It was really beautiful and impressed me as to how much distance was already done. Pyro the Wise took off from there and I hiked on alone.My original destination was the Ed Garvey Shelter but I got there way too early so I decided to travel on after taking several photos. The privy was especially nice; anyone who's done the Trail fully understands what I'm talking about. It started to rain but it was a type of rain that, by the time it fell through all the trees, was more of a constant sprinkle. Got soaked but it was a cool kind of wet that I appreciated. So, I'm walking up and down, heaving myself over rocks and rocks and more rocks and then, suddenly, you come out on a parking lot and behold, you are at Gathland State Park where there is this huge memorial for War Correspondants built from the Civil War plus some Civil War plaques (of which I love to read). This area is heavy in Civil War history, major battles and stuff. Quite fascinating. Caught up with Pyro the Wise who was hanging out at the pavilion waiting for the rain to lessen up. I thought I would never see him again. Turns out he had been there for quite a while, eating lunch and making phone calls. Got water from a pump (you always camel up on water that you don't have to treat when you can) and called the girls. Only Josie answered, but she reminded me that humping with a pack is really hard and I cannot fathom how she did it was twice the weight plus the battle rattle plus her weapon. Mom has ZERO room to gripe.Pyro the Wise took off and I hiked on to Crampton Gap Shelter, quite lovely but I was very, very alone. Eventually, Dennis and Steve and Steve's dogs, Muskat, a beautiful long haired Shepherd and Callie, a large black dog, came down the blue trail. I thought I was safe; turns out, they were only stopping for dinner and Steve say's that the dogs were bear attractants anyway. Okay then, there's the trail. See 'ya ~~While we were talking, we all heard this sound like a squeaky toy and Steve pulled in Callie because he thought perhaps there was a baby's nest of some sort under the porch. They left and two other gentlemen, Trashman and Ohibro, came in for the evening. I have to tell you that I was most happy to have company in the first night. It's a little scary the first night out in the woods, it really is. So, we heard that squeaky noise again and when I looked underneath the stairs, a little baby fawn was right there ~~~ so beautiful. I just wanted to hug it and love it and squeeze it ~~~ but I did not touch it for fear of putting any type of human scent on it. The fawn later scooted over to a tree and hugged the bottom. It was gone the next morning.Fire flys everywhere and you can hear a rooster crow all night. Not so scary when you have someone else sleeping there too.