Date: 2014-05-31
From: manasses gap shelter

To: bears den hostel
Miles today: 25.3

Today was our big day until after harpers ferry, it was going to be long miles and the end of the day was going over the 'rollercoaster'. We got a good early start (for us) and made good time early. The trail was different than it has been, small trees with tall vegetation under thick enough that you really couldnt see anything other than what was right in front of you. It was nice grassy trail so i wasnt complaining. Views have gotten fewer as we move north, getting out of the mountains and into the hills. A couple miles later we returned to the mature woods woth short undergrowth. Still nice walking listening to birds singing. About seven miles in we got to Sky meadow st park. It was real tourist trail, wide and flat. It was so wide that we walked side by side without being in the bushes. Todays big animal siting was 2 indigo buntings, one chasing the other, very pretty birds. We passed thru a few meadows and once again entered back into mature woods. We passed some really big ash and tulip poplar trees, really really big ones. So up and down thru the woods we got to Rod hollow shelter for lunch break. We sat with a nice couple doing a short section. Last night was the ladys' first time ever camping, she said it was the best she had slept in years. They were from the DC area and trying to ease themselves into the hiking world. People seem to like hearing the odd thru hiker stories of the things that can happen in the woods. Right after the shelter a section of the trail called 'the rollercoaster' starts. The rollercoaster is a thirteen mile stretch of tightly bunched ascents and descents. I was worried about the ups and downs, i knew i could get thru that but one person had mentioned the rocks. I dont like long stretches of hopping from rock to rock, it makes the bottom of my feet sore. Thankfully the first couple hills were about the biggest. They were indeed steep, and rocky. I doesnt like the rocky. Doing the rollercoaster after having hiked 14 miles might not have been the best plan but you gotta take it as it comes. It truly was a roller but i dont remember the coaster part. I never got to coast. I was pretty tired as we got toward the end of the day. We passed a stream that i really shoukd have gotten water from. I ran out with three miles to go but was feeling like not filtering water and really wanted to drink a cold soda more than water. I knew i could get that far on carbonated desires. I wished i had grabbed a half liter a little later. No worries, i knew i could still make it. At the footbridge it was a half mile to the hostel, half mile uphill, over rocks, big surprise. So as far as the rollercoaster goes, the hills arent bad but the rocks are no fun. The bears den hostel is a beautiful place in the woods. Its a stone building that you can stay in the basement and do laundry and shower. It is the best hostel i have been in so far. The peoople are great and the place is spotless. Im still going to sleep in my tent because i dont seem to sleep well in the bunks if there are a lot of other people there. It seems like there is always niise of someone snoring or rolling over, also if i roll over i dont want to disturb others. So tent it is. The final mileage after today was 998.6 which got me real excited to be so close to the one thousand mile point. Thats a big one. I can honestly say i never thought i would get this far with this few problems. I must be the luckiest guy ever. One more thing about the beras den, they offer a hiker special. Its a place to sleep, shower, laundry, big pizza, pint of ice cream, and a soda for thirty bucks. Its a good deal but i was still a little hungry so i was pretty happy when one of the ladies staying here said she and her friend had brought pie to share with everyone. Oh heeel yea. The sad part is that there is hardly anyone else here tonight so i must take it upon myself to make sure it doesnt go bad. My work is never done.