Date: 2005-09-08
From: Bears Den Hostel, VA

To: Near Manassas Gap Shelter, VA
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: clear sky

23.3 miles todayNear Manassas Gap Shelter, Va. I woke up at 6am after a very good nights sleep. I needed a good sleep because of not sleeping as much the previous 2 nights. I answered some emails and sent those and my journal entry in, then made a pot of coffee. I went upstairs a little before 8 and talked to Queen Diva while she made breakfast. Gerhardt and I were the only ones joining her for breakfast. Scarf hiked out this morning because her husband is picking her up about 15 miles down the trail. She wanted to be sure to make it there by 4pm. Queen Diva made one of the best omelettes I've ever had. It had 3 eggs, feta cheese and some of the zucchini and squash she grew. I had that, 2 patties of sausage, toast, yogurt, milk and coffee. She made the same for all 3 of us. I really enjoy talking to her and talking about all of the mutual friends we have. Breakfast was over too fast and Queen Diva had an appointment at 9am, so she gave me a hug and left. I went down and packed up my stuff. There were some hair clippers in the bathroom that I tried, but they were too dull. I was going to give myself a haircut before I left. :-))) I checked my email one more time, then left at 10am. I got down to the bottom of the first hill and there were lots of big trees that had been blown over. They must of had some really high winds here over the summer. The trail had been cleared, but the tree's leaves were just drying out, so it couldn't have happened too long ago. I saw a rabbit running down the trail in front of me. It's pretty rare to see many rabbits on the trail. I usually see more moose than rabbits on a thru hike, but a moose is a little easier to spot. :-))) I walked over the Roller Coaster today. It's a series of alot of short 300 to 500 foot ups and downs. I like it because it gives my legs a good work out. It's kind of like the rest of the A.T. to me...the whole trail is alot of ups and downs. They should put a sign at Springer Mountain in Georgia and one at Katahdin in Maine that says; "Roller Coaster Next 2175 Miles." :-))) I walked by Sam Moore Shelter without stopping. I continued on the Roller Coaster. I saw 2 deer take off running when I was climbing the fourth hill of the Roller Coaster. I found a nice stream and sat down to eat the chicken that Queen Diva gave me to pack out for lunch today. It was a nice 30 minute lunch. I caught up to Scarf just before the side trail to Rod Hollow Shelter. She kept walking south on the A.T. I headed into the spring near the shelter for water. It's good to see some springs flowing again. I signed the register after I got water and then hiked on. I caught up to Scarf again about 45 minutes later. I walked on by her and never saw her again. I got to Ashby Gap and crossed Rt 50 and started an easily graded 3 mile climb. I went down the trail and passed by Dick's Dome Shelter. I knocked down alot of spider webs again now that Scarf is behind me. I kept walking until I got to Manassas Gap Shelter. I went and checked the spring and it was flowing very well. I got water and went up by the shelter and had some of the split pea soup for dinner the Mrs Moosie and I made and dehydrated a while back. I thought about sleeping in the shelter since no one else was there, but I didn't want to ruin my reputation. :-))) I walked back out to the A.T. and found a spot to set up my tent for the night. It was another beautiful day and now that I'm in my tent and it's dark out, it's cooling down nicely. I still can't get over Queen Diva cooking over 1800 meals for hungry thru hikers this year. That many meals would be alot to cook for regular people, but thru hikers eat alot!! Queen Diva is my hero for the year of 2005.