Date: 2009-07-07
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: few clouds

In the early morning, I saw another bear as I was approaching the Tom Floyd Shelter. It jumped up on a log just off the trail and I just sat there staring at it. I did manage to get a few shots. I had to zoom quite a bit, but the images still came out to be of great quality. Normally, if you see bears, you are in your car and you have protection all around. There was something natural about being out there on your own ¢ in the essence of nature ¢ and seeing animals pass you by without them or you having extreme fear. I¢ve always said that if we respect the animals, then they will almost certainly respect us. I made lunch at the Tom Floyd Wayside/Shelter. The .2 miles straight down to get water was a bit rough, but I had to do it as I was thirsty and entirely out of liquid. I then crossed a very busy US 522; if I had headed west, I would be heading to Front Royal (pronounced Front Rahhhhl) and if I had headed east for 1.5 hours, I would hit Washington, DC. It was extremely hot and humid during this section and I was sweating profusely. Shortly after crossing 522, I came across a very squiggly, but still rather large black snake that had been sunbathing out on the trail. I took a few pictures and then passed it by. I then came up to the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter, which had a beautiful porch. While here, I read the register and filled up with some water. Hydration is key out there in the heat! I pushed on past VA 638 and headed all the way to VA 55, where I walked back to Linden 1.1 miles to the General Store (Monterey). I was in need of a sit down and some air conditioning, so I tried to hitch 1.6 miles to the Apple House, a local restaurant with pastries and great burgers. No one did stop for me the entire walk down, so I had walked 2.7 miles off the trail just to get a burger. While there, I met my waitress, Katie, a very pleasant, energetic young woman heading into her second year at Virginia Tech. I ended up ordering a buffalo burger with cheese and French Fries. As ketchup is my favorite condiment, I loaded it up on both. Ahh, it was so nice to seek shelter out of the hot sun. As I didn¢t want to walk all the way back to the trail, I asked Katie if she would be willing to take me. She was hesitant at first, and for rightful reasons. Not too many people would take a smelly, dirty stranger 2.7 miles up the road. But, she agreed in the end ¢ under one condition: ¢That you don¢t kill me!¢ I made sure that she was absolutely comfortable taking me and, then, once she finished up with her shift, I hopped in her car with her and she took me up the road. I was very grateful for the ride. Thank you, Katie, and best of luck in your second year at Virginia Tech!As I headed up the mountain, I was absolutely flying. For some reason, I really enjoy the uphill climbs much more than the downhills. My muscles are strong as can be and I can nearly ¢run¢ at times when my pack ¢ and my legs ¢ are light. I noticed a light in the distance and I shouted to the person up ahead. It turned out to be Jungli! I caught up to her and we chatted in the darkness en route to the Manassas Gap Shelter. It was good to see her again, as we had become disconnected due to my visit into the DC metro area. At the shelter, we ate some food and started reading the register. I had heard that this shelter had been infested with snakes, but I really thought that it was just an urban legend. When I started reading the shelter blog, there were so many entries about snakes hanging off the banisters that I decided NOT to sleep in the shelter. Hell, I didn¢t want a copperhead climbing into my sleeping bag. So, Jungli set up her tent INSIDE the shelter, while I decided to sleep directly on top of the picnic table. It was rather uncomfortable and I really didn¢t sleep too well that night. Besides, every time that I moved, a very loud sound emerged from the rusty metal pieces of the table that sounded as if I was making love to/on the table. Jungli and I kept cracking up all night at each movement that I had.