Date: 2007-06-20
From: Blue Ridge Pkwy - Dripping Rock

To: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It is really amazing sometimes, how one day out on the trail, can be so different from the previous day. Yesterday, the trail was difficult and quite challenging and wore me down by days end. Today it was a real pleasure hiking.The day started out again with a fine breakfast at the Dutch Hauss. I was then able to catch a ride to the point north where I began my southbound slack pack yesterday. A thru hiker named Further, who also stayed at the Dutch Hauss, is using his car to hike a section of the trail at a time. He is coordinating this with another thru hiker who also has a car. They start the day by placing one north of the trail, drive back south with the 2nd car, hike north to the first car and then pick up the 2nd car at the end of the section. Sounds confusing, but it works for them.So Further dropped me off at the Dripping Rock overlook on the Blue Ridge Highway and I started hiking north. It was a beautiful sunny day, with the temperature in the high 70's and little humidity. Trail conditions for this section, made for a very pleasant walk. Hardly any rocks tripped me up or slowed me down. I just hiked all day, and enjoyed every minute of it. No notable sights or landmarks, just a very satisfying walk where I was able to take in the surrounding sights and do a lot of thinking.As I walked today, I thought about how fortuate I was to be able to be out here on this thru hike. Everything seemed to come together naturally to make it all happen. Above all, I thought about how much I love my wife and very much appreciate her support of this hike. I owe her big time, and hope she is putting together a big "Honey To Do List" for when I return. OK, said it, and it's in writing. You can pin this one up on the refrigerator Kath!Before I realized it, I had completed this 15 mile section and was down by the road that led to Waynesbora, VA. I planned to stop here and re-supply and spend the night at the Grace Lutheran Church hostel. Waynesboro has a trail angel network of volunteers who will shuttle hikers the 5 miles into and out of town and support them in any other way they can. I had the list of names and began to make some phone calls. After about 4 calls unanswered, I saw the name of Bill Galagher and thought I'd have some luck with a fellow Irishman. Sure enough, Bill's wife, Sandy answered the phone, and I was soon arranging a ride to town, with Bill. Within 10 minutes, he was there, and drove me to Waynesboro. Before dropping me off at the hostel, he gave me a tour around town. He also said he would drive me back to the trail. This hostel is quite nice. It is a little more structured than most hostels along the trail. The doors open at 5pm each day. Your stay is supervised by 2 volunteers who sleep overnight on the premises. Lights are out by 10pm. Wakeup is around 8am, and they provide a continental type breakfast. The doors then are locked for the day at 9am. If you plan to stay another night you can leave your back there and return at 5pm that day. They provide a large room and cots for sleeping, showers, and a general purpose area with a kitchen, computers, and large screen TV. I thought it was perfect for a thru hiker overnight stay. I found out that Bill's wife Sandy, was one of the 2 volunteer supervisors for tonight.After setting up my sleeping area and taking a shower, I took a short walk to the "all you can eat" Chinese retaurant, and definitely got my money's worth. I then went to the grocery store to re-supply, and walked back to the hostel. The remainder of the evening was spent relaxing with a few other thru hikers, Slick, Backtrack, and Director, all of which I have met at some point on the trail.A great day on the trail and in town.