Date: 2005-06-20
From: Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

4:39pm - Strawberry Fields ForeverOn Saturday (6/18) we had a full company for travelling. We hit the trail a little bit after it opened at 9am. We made good time to the Elkwallow Wayside, passing over several AT stretches that I remembered from a hike last fall. I topped off my food bag at the campstore and we had lunch on a grassy knoll. Lunch was supplemented by a delicious blackberry milkshake, courtesy of the slightly less than professional fast food workers of Wayside. (Hey, Mary, feel like making another shake?)After lunch we experienced climbs, ridgewalks, hang-gliding spots and wild strawberries. Excellent find, Chicken Feet!We reached the Gravel Springs Hut a bit after four to find a boy scout troop huddled around its spring. Without hesitation we sprinted for the tent sites. Our claim efforts were successful; the boy scouts migrated elsewhere. They were far enough away not to disturb us but close enough to occasionally show up at the privvy. The other shelter residents and tenters were more welcome - a couple of section hikers named Gonzo and Pokey, a heavy set ex-hippie, and Skywalker, quite possibly the tallest hiker this year at 6'11". The shelter register warned of less than friendly raccoons, approximately the size of Rodents of Unusual Size and twice as aggressive. The bear pole was greased up and the PATC had set a trap for the critters, though the register stated the nighttime bandits were larger than the trap.We spent a long time talking that evening about things that seemed far more memorable at the time before calling it a night.. Skywalker battened down the hatches of the shelter but no coons visited. In the morning, though, he saw Sadie crashing around the bear pole. Unfortunately, it was a few hundred pounds heavier. The bear messed with the raccoon trap but luckily left the food alone. [Ed. Note: That's what Papa Razzi wrote, if I can get the rest of the details he forgot, I'll add them...]Gonzo gave me a few dinners for the next few evenings before taking off and I dined on a Carnation instant breakfast courtesy of Chicken Feet. It was a change of pace and I might slip them into my regular breakfast rotation. We spent a long, long time talking with Skywalker before starting the day's hike together.Skywalker, it turns out, was originally set to be part of Warren Doyle's expedition this year but ended up going it alone. For those of you who don't know, Warren Doyle leads van supported AT hikers. Imagine slacking the whole trail and you get the picture. Skywalker spoke highly of the man and told us this year's expedition is mere days behind. I'm looking forward to running into its members as they cruise on by.The five of us took lots of breaks and had a long, lazy lunch on top of Compton Peak. We parted ways with Skywalker at the Compton Gap Trail. Hopefully I'll run into him again - he's a lot of fun and very tall.Matt, Magnet, Chickenfeet and I detoured down to the awesome Terrapin Station Hostel, less than a half mile from the trail. Bassline was there and Sleeveless Socks showed up before too long. Bassline raved about the fun he had on the aqua blaze. Perhaps we'll do a Dream Team reunion next year to blaze it aqua-style.Terrapin Hostel is run by Mike, a PCT and AT vereran. He's also a huge Grateful Dead fan, from which the hostel derives its name. He's been running it since 2003 and obviously loves it. He's certainly got a good place. It's just a house, but the downstairs has been converted to a bunkhouse and hang-out room. We tossed around a frisbee in the backyard for some time, Mike included. Part of the fun of hostels is meeting the owner. They always have stories and Mike is no exception. Back inside he regaled us with tales of his PCT hike. I felt seeds being sowed.Eventually he shuttled Chickenfeet and Magnet back to their car at Thornton Gap. We cleaned up in the meanwhile and ordered in some pizzas. Boy, did they hit the spot. However, I was still a bit unsatisfied. After much deliberation I gave in to temptation and downed a pint of Ben + Jerry's. I felt better.The evening was merrily spent with all the hikers. We watched the Simpsons and Family Guy before switching to the NBA finals. Bassline, Mike and I had a good game of hearts. I easily won shooting the moon twice. We then focused our attention on the game and San Antonio's last minute, overtime victory over Detroit. I didn't get to bed until half past midnight.We were up before eight this morning and in Mike's van at half-past eight. We went into Front Royal for the PO and grocery store. I ran into Roamer at the grocery store, always a pleasant surprise. She thought she, too, may aim for the Denton Shelter tonight. I haven't been in the same place on the trail as her since Hot Springs; it would be fantastic to catch up some tonight. We also went by Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and McDonald's, too. I greatly enjoyed two donuts and a vanilla chai. Oh, how I miss good tea.Once back at the hostel I called Sony to check on my camera's status. They've received it, but couldn't tell me much more. I did have them put in a rush order and authorized overnight shipping, though. I'm hoping it gets done this week. I really, really want it back by Harper's Ferry.Matt and I finally returned to hiking around eleven thirty. It was fairly uneventful trail - lots of junk forest. However, I did find a blackberry bush with some ripe berries. I collected a small handful and had a great pre-lunch treat. Lunch was also great - the deli sandwich I had packed far surpassed my expectations. Note to self: use deli counter at supermarket far more often.The Jim and Molly Denton shelter is something else. It's a huge shelter with a very sizeable porch lined by benches. A covered picnic table is nearby, and the spring is something else. They've piped it to create a solar powered shower. I don't think I'll trust its heating power but it's a nice concept.We're also looking at a full house. It's still very early, but we've already got a crowd. Bassline, Peanut, Ten Feathers, Clearwater, Quixote, and the Garland 5 (a thru-hiking family that includes 3 kids under 14) are all here. Roamer, show up!