Date: 2015-06-25
From: crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pogo Campground
Miles today: 15.7

Just as I was about to hike out this morning, I got a message from a trail angel offering to bring me some lunch. We had been corresponding a little but never were able to meet up. She wanted to treat scout and Tumbles too but they had already hiked out so I couldn't tell them. The trail is very easy right now, very gentle ups and downs. It is rocky though and that puts a hurting on the feet! I feel like I should be making some big miles right now and banking them for when I need them, but I'm feeling as relaxed as the terrain after my couple of days off. There were a couple of views and the trail went through a civil war battle memorial site. A bus load of tourists were listening to the guide and I stood near them so I could smell their clothes. I just love the smell of laundry detergent right now. Weird. The trail continued back into the woods and eventually reached the campsite where I was to meet Vicki. She wasn't there yet, so I charged my phone in the bathroom and waited. Soon I saw her walking down the little road, carrying bags and coolers. I ran to meet and help her. She had brought enough food for at least 6 people and had no problem getting hikers to dig in. She had made delicious cheese omelette sandwiches with jam, freshly baked chocolate cookies, spanakopita, fruit, sodas. It was wonderful. She enjoys being a part of the trail culture but can't hike herself because of back and spine problems. She embraces the role of trail angel. We talked about a trail name for her and she had previously been gifted Vista. It's a good fit!After lunch she drove some hikers to the ice cream place and I hiked out.I saw the Washington Monument (the one that just got struck by lightning) it was roped off because of structural damage from the Lightning strike. A large group of kids was there doing a two day intro to backpacking hike. I told them about the half gallon challenge, coming up soon. At the official halfway point, hikers are supposed to eat (read BUY) a half gallon of ice cream and eat it as fast as possible. We are supposed to record our time in the journal provided. The astute kids asked what you won for doing it. Hmmm. I guess you get a little wooden ice cream spoon and you get to fart in your tent all night. After I broke it down it didn't sound all that enticing.I have met several hikers lately who have shared that they are struggling at this point in their hikes. One guy told me today that he was getting tired of the brutal foot beatings by rocks. I know that is going to get much worse in PA. Lots of folks are dropping off the trail right now. I understand the feeling- I went through my low spot in the Shenendoahs. We all have to dig deep right now. I feel confident that on the other side of the blahs is a renewed excitement. I hiked past the shelter at 13 miles hoping to squeeze a few more miles out of the day, but the skies were rumbling and getting darker by the second. It spit a little at me here and there, and I kept going. I stopped at Black Rock overlook to get some pictures. That was a very pretty view. I was coming down the trail, close to the campsite, and I saw an incredibly gigantic fire. Astronaut, a thru hiker, had built a fire as big as a Volkswagen. I found a flat spot to set up tent then I wanted to go check out the fire, but the rain came and I ended up eating in my tent. It is pouring. I put my food bag in a plastic bag and I'll hope no bears come out tonight.