Date: 2015-05-24
From: Campsite at 951.4

To: Sealock Spring Mosby Campsite
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another early 6 am start took us to a nice view on Little Hogback Mountain and then we climbed Southern Marshall Mountain. We stopped for a break at the South Marshall Mountain view which had nice rock ledges for sitting. Andreas stopped by and told us he planned to hike ahead to Front Royal Hostel and do some laundry so he offered to take our dirty clothes and wash them. Another trail first ... We changed clothes off the trail. Crafty and I hiked on for a few minutes when a couple who were camping just off the trail asked us if we wanted any water, I was very low on water and it was miles until the next source so I said "yes". Next thing we knew they were offering us beverages, Trader Joe's potato pancakes, Tofurky Italian Sausages, grilled Portabella mushrooms and chips since Sokie was vegetarian. They were leaving a day early and had extra food and supplies they had hauled up from the parking lot in flip flops the day before because they forgot to pack sneakers. We sat down and chatted with them telling them about our hike. They told us about working for the military as a flight attendant and aircraft mechanic but how they would love to hike when they leave the military in a few years. Sokie asked about being vegetarian on the AT because they heard many don't make it, and I said it was not an issue for me. Just eating enough calories. Five hiked by and waved and they offered her water too. When she said yes she also got the food offer. A ranger came by leading a very large group up the trail and asked if we were thru hikers. We all kind of felt like an exhibit in a zoo. Since there were so many of them and we continued chatting with Dan and Sokie, he didn't ask us any questions though I think he may have if he had a smaller group. Sokie then told us how Dan had proposed the night before so it was cool to be one of the first people to hear their good news since they didn't have great cell service. After well over an hour had passed, we had to move on. We stopped for a photo at the North Marshall Mountain viewpoint and then hiked the 8 miles to Compton Trail. First we looked and hopefully found Sokie and Dan's car in the parking lot and left them a thank you note and our blog information. We finally made it to the side trail where we walked 0.5 miles to Terrapin Station Hostel where Andreas was waiting for us. We all split a carton of Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Andreas showed us the book a journalist had done about the 1995 AT Hikers which had photos of many of his hiker friends from that year including Warren Doyle. Andreas thru hiked the AT in 1995. He knows PokeyHontas, Pilgrim, High Heels and MoFo whom I had met a few times earlier in my hike. We finally decided to get moving again and hiked the 0.5 miles back to the AT and then passed the backpacker registration box indicating we were leaving Shenandoah National Park! We stopped after a few minutes because Crafty wasn't feeling great after her pizza and ice cream and needed some digestion time so we sat down for a had hour. Meanwhile Princess who has gone back to being Phillip and Friction passed by. We hiked on. As we neared USA 522, Andreas was fighting the temptation to hitch to Front Royal for a cold beer. We told him he should go but we couldn't go to Front Royal because Crafty and I didn't want to do any big mileage days because we want to do the 4 State Challenge where you hike 43.3 miles in 4 states in 24 hours and we wanted to see Andreas on his last day. He didn't want to go alone and said we had helped get him to Harpers Ferry on time so he wanted to support us on our 4 State Challenge. Amazingly, we passed over a creek where there were several cokes and 1 Belgian IPA beer in a creek with a sign that said "Thru Hiker Special! Congrats on finishing the Sheanadoah section. Have a cold one on us!" I jumped down and presented Andreas with his beer. It was perfect timing! I drank a coke while Andreas had his beer. Wild Thing and Philip also passed by and got a coke. Wild Thing didn't look so great and was hiking in his Crocs. We then continued on 3.6 miles to Mosby Campsite. On the way, I missed seeing a mother bear and 3 Cubs. Bummer! We originally intended to go to the shelter but decided to set up camp while it was still light. I used Andreas' shower bag (which I have covered ever since I saw it a week ago) to rinse off and felt like a new person!I set up my tent without the rain fly so I could look at the trees and sky which was cool!