Date: 2005-11-26
To: Prep # 4
Miles today: 0.0

Black Friday and headed south to Virginia for my next hike. The plan is to go to Bears Den Hosel for the night and then hike north. DeJaVue will be hiking with me, and SONGBIRD will be our support vehicle. (SONGBIRD had ankle surgery in Sept. and still in therepy and can not hike yet, this is killing her.) As we pull up to Bears Den Hostel, there are several cars in the day hike area and even more parked around the hostel. It was not yet 5:00 PM, but went in to make sure that there was room enough for us.    Met the new caretaker, Queen Diva, who advised that there was enough room for us, and that they were having a Trail Mix, with hikers from 2002. Picked out a bunk in the bunk room and then walked down to enjoy the sunset at Bears Den Rocks. That night was nice sitting around the large fireplace and enjoying the company of these past Thru Hikers and their friends. Big Red, Circut Rider, Oscar & Felix, Rafter Jack, Rock Slide, Cascade, and Parents, and even Green Jeep just to name a few. Just seemed like one big family, the friendship and fellowship. The time seemed to fly by, and soon was time for bed. I took the bottom bunk and DeJaVue had the bunk above me. Went to sleep with the lights still on as someone was still doing some reading. I got woke up about an hour later to a loud THUD! Seems that DeJaVue woke up and went to turn the light off, but forgot he was on the top bunk, got to watch that first step.   Up before sunrise and went upstairs. Queen Diva was already busy getting things ready for the Trail Mix breakfast. The Sun was just starting to come up and made it appear as if the woods in front of Bears Den were on fire. Breakfast was Oatmeal and hot chocolate for us. Got out on the trail before 8:00 AM. Clear and cool day. The day was a great hiking day and soon started to peel layers. Saw a few does as we hiked up out of Snickers Gap. The leaves that have fallen from the trees, covered the trail, Some areas the leaves were so deep that you could not see the rocks under them. DeJaVue twisted his knee a little when he stepped down and a two inch round branch was hidden underneath the leaves and sent him flying. Think I gave him a 5.6 for the fall. We were a mile from the side trail to Blackburn Center when we came across a few day hikers. Came across a painted rock that was shaped in a bit of an arrow and said "Springer Mt. Ga. 1000 miles", makes one think. Stopped off at the David Lesser Memorial Shelter for lunch. My trail appetite is far from kicking in yet, so I just snacked here. This just did not seem like DeJaVue's Day as we were hiking towards Key Gap, he took another fall, this time twisting his ankel and back at the same time. We made it to Key Gap and called SONGBIRD to come to his rescue. While waiting I decided to have the rest of my lunch, left over turkey tasted good now. I was going to hike on into Harper Ferry, but decided to wait until DeJaVue got picked up. When SONGBIRD arrived, DeJaVue hopped up until the weight came down on his ankle, then slowed down quick. It was not 3:30 PM and with darkness coming early, I decided to end for the day here. We went into Harper Ferry and stopped at the Outfitter. I picked up a nice and light down vest, and checked out some of the other gear that they had. We headed up to Charles Town and got a motel room for the night. DeJaVue did a long hot soak, and then put Blue-Emu on his trouble spots. Not the night that I had planned, but I learn to improvise, adapt, and overcome.    Sunday morning we drove back to Key Gap to start our hike. As we got to the parking area, we found about a dozen huskies and their owners packing up to take a hike. Seemed all were barking their hello's at each other. We grabbed our packs and off we went. The W Va state lne came up in no time. Think we wer hiking a little fast to get ahead of the dogs. As we hiked down from Loudoun Heights DeJaVue told me about the trenches in the area. Crossed under then over the Bridge into Harpers Ferry. As we started up the embackment on the other side of Shenadoah Street, I notced that DeJaVue had walked by two deer who were so close they almost were on the trail. When I tried to get his attention, the deer took off. He said he was paying attention to his footing, after yesterday, maybe this was best. Stopped for a break and to enjoy the view at Jefferson Rock. Then hiked to the Potomac River and crossed over the bridge to Maryland and back. Found SONGBIRD in the parking area and then loaded up. Having a four hour drive takes away from some of the hike time.