Date: 2014-05-08
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

To: Myron Glaser Cabin
Miles today: 16.6

A bright, sunny day, and a somewhat leisurely morning. Chatted with all three of my shelter companions. Socs is getting married in August. Blaze is off to medical school in Kansas City in July, so she likely won't be able to finish the trail. Professor Turtle, who is anything but slow, got the "Professor" added to his name on the trail because of his knowledge of trees and plants. I got a photo of him before he left for a 25+ mile day. We three women took self timer shots of us all. I really enjoyed their friendliness and vitality, but I expect I won't see them again. They were headed at least to the Rod Hollow Shelter, a bit over 19 miles, and I figured I would have to stop short of that. I made the 5.5 miles to the Manassas Gap Shelter by about 11:30. Four men, all P,ATC volunteers were taking a break from trail maintenance work, and we talked for a while before they left. I thanked them for their work. Without all the work of the volunteers, we hikers would not be able to do what we love. While I was getting water, Milky arrived for a break..He is an Englishman who got his trail name because he used to deliver milk. He has done the PCT and the CDT, so this hike will culminate his triple crown. The trail north of the shelter was magical, with trillium all over the forest floor. The colors ranged from white (most common) to deep pink. The blossoms all faced the sun and moved gently on the breeze. I smiled for over a mile. What beauty, and how lucky I am to have been there at the right time. There were more throughout the day, but they were particularly prolific in that mile. I wish I knew the names of more of the flowers. There had to be several types of trillium alone.Several day-hikers were in the area to see the flowers. I spoke with a couple from Troy, NY, now living in northern VA, who wanted to know about my hike and will follow on Trail Journals. I passed up visiting Dick's Dome Shelter -- too far off the trail -- and continued on through Sky Meadows State Park. Many dead trees before the park, but in the park, it was nice walking across the open meadows. This was the first hot day since McAfee Knob, and I was grateful for the breeze. I do wish I tolerated heat better, since I expect even hotter days to come.After crossing US50 at Ashby Gap, I filtered enough water for the night, hoping to find a tent site on the hilltop above. No even flattish spots appeared, and I began to think I'd be walking in the dark. When I came to a sign for the Myron Glaser Cabin (earlier than expected, based on my map), I took the side trail. Both the map and AWOL indicated the cabin is locked, I but I hoped for a flat spot for my tent. About three tenths of a mile in, I came to a lovely stone cabin with a covered porch, complete with picnic table and porch swing. There were no signs indicating no camping, so I set up on the porch. A plaque indicated that the cabin was built in memory of Myron Glaser, a faithful PATC volunteer. I thanked the PATC for rescuing me for the night. I even had a cell signal and called Lee. Then went to bed, enjoying stars and moonlight. I did hear a large tree fall somewhere in the woods. Glad I wasn't near it in my tent, but it was a good reminder to watch for "widow-makers" when making camp. It was not even particularly windy.