Date: 2004-05-14
From: Elk Wallow Gap, VA

To: Day 57: US 522 at Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

Anxious to meet up with my lovely wife once again and even though I ¢only¢ had 18.9 miles to cover on AT Day 57, I once again got up at 3:50 a.m. so I could hit the trail by 6:00 a.m. The unseasonably warm, humid and rainy weather that had been the norm all week continued again on this final day. Despite my early start, I was surprised to see and eventually catch up with Lucky Star within the first two-miles. Since I had not seen her pass my campsite, I asked Lucky Star when she got in the evening before and she said it was after dark. I guess that means at least 8:30 p.m., but in spite of these long hours, it was obvious that her spirits were high, especially since she told me she had decided to stop off at a newly opened hiker hostel (located just off the AT before it exits the SNP) where she could take a shower, rest, etc. before continuing on to Front Royal for her re-supply stop. We chatted briefly, and then I had to hurry on to meet my somewhat longer hiking goal for the day. Luckily, as was true the day before, I was once again able to really kick it into gear and cover a lot of mileage quickly.Along the way, I ate a snack atop North Marshall Mountain (3,368-feet), was able to rinse off my face in the cooling water of Compton Springs, finish climbing to the Compton Peak (2,909-feet) and then eat lunch in a light rain at Compton Gap (~2,490-feet). Just before I reached my lunch spot I noticed something hanging from a tree along the trail, but since it looked like a bird or insect feeder I paid it little attention. Well it turns out that this was note from my wife that she had encased in a plastic box designed to hold some sort of electronic hardware. I discovered this oversight when I was finally able to reach her by cell phone shortly after lunch. During this rare success of cell phone transmission, my wife and I confirmed our plans and then I hurried along to the pick-up spot, stopping only briefly at the Tom Floyd Wayside shelter to fill out the register.The character of the trail became much rockier as soon as I exited (descended from) the SNP and I thought I was going to be late, but my drive to see Hot Chocolate again was strong and I was able to reach the pick-up target easily by 3:15 p.m., unfortunately she had yet to arrive. I used the time while waiting to chat with two SOBO section hikers who were also waiting for a ride. In addition to just being friendly (or lonely) I was particularly interested in talking with them since there was a sign at the end of the trail warning NOBO hikers about a particularly muddy section just ahead and it provided potential detours. They advised me to head the warning, but after hiking through swollen rivers and snow slush trails previously during this AT adventure, I told them that I would have to think about taking their advice.My wife arrived in less than 30 minutes and we were on our way to a late lunch a Burger King and then on to our recreational trailer for a shower and a well-earned rest. My plans were to spend the next two days recovering from this last segment, while I restocked and planned for my next segment where I will FINALLY get out of VA and enter WVA and MD. Most important of all, the plan is for my wife to help with shuttle service so that my youngest son, the new Ph.D., will have a chance to hike a full day with me as we approach his new home in Hagerstown, MD. My wife will hike in the opposite direction and our hope is that we may be able to meet midway so that all three of us can enjoy a brief lunch break together. Even if these latter plans do not work out, it is clear that Life is Great!