Date: 2013-06-16
From: Grace Hiker Hostel, Waynesboro, VA

To: Stealth camp near Turk Mountain
Miles today: 12.5

Happy Father's Day! It was a quiet night at the hostel. There were only eight of us last night, and four of the group got up and left before 6 a.m. They were planning to put in a 30+ mile day. That doesn't sound the least bit fun to me, even if my knees did work properly. Speaking of knees, the knee felt great this morning, not 100%, but the best it's felt in weeks! It took a while to get everything packed up and organized like I like it. My pack felt about 10 lbs heavier. Ugh. But it felt good to put on my "hiking uniform" again. I felt a little more legitimate. Marit gave me a big hug good-bye and wished me good luck. I found Santa's Helper and gave him a big hug as well. I got a little emotional because I feel that he came and found me when I needed help- I was injured and bad weather was on its way. He came to my rescue and let me stay until I was ready to go. I think he gives a lot more than he ever gets in return. Yellow Truck came to pick me up. He gave Atlas and me a lift from the hostel. We swung by the Quality Inn and picked up two more hikers, and then he took us back up to Rockfish Gap. As he dropped us at the trail, two other thru-hikers were just arriving at the road crossing. Yellow Truck offered to take them into town without them asking. They were getting their first taste of Waynesboro hospitality. I couldn't help but smile. They were in for a treat! I crossed two overpasses and climbed into the woods. Soon I saw the kiosk where I register for my backcountry permit for the Shenandoah National Park. It's been a long time coming. And the sojourn in Waynesboro made this moment all the sweeter! Even the mosquitoes and gnats that bit my legs and arms couldn't distract my excitement. This was happening. I proudly attached my permit to the side of my pack. It was official. I was hiking in the Shenandoahs.The terrain was gentle. There were, of course, rocks, but I was so happy to be back on the trail that I was happy to see them, too. I stopped to call my dad to wish him a happy father's day. I was thrilled to have good news to report. I got to the top of Bears Den Mountain. It was covered in communication towers of various sorts. I knew that Tom would be able to tell me all about each one if he were here. So I took a picture of myself in front of them and sent it to him. Two things he loves most- me and comms :D There were some old tractor seats reconfigured into seats arranged in a large circle. A family of three was sitting, having their lunch. I considered joining them, but decided they were probably enjoying their private lunch. So I went on. I got to the top of Little Calf Mountain. There was an open grassy area and a stack of 6X6 waiting to be erected into sign posts. There was a tiny bouquet of wild flowers sitting on the top post. It looked like the perfect place for lunch. I pulled out my food bag and started making lunch. I looked out over the hills from which I'd come. They looked tall, and that made me feel better. At least they looked a formidable as they seemed! There was a haze, and the air felt heavy. It seemed the rain would get us yet. I had planned to stay at the Calf Mountain Shelter, but it was barely 2:00 p.m. and the bugs were terrible. I couldn't imagine spending the rest of the evening fighting them off. I would be absolutely crazy swatting and slapping at them. It sounded hellish. Also, I had passed a large group of Boy Scouts who seemed to be heading in the direction of the shelter. I wasn't sure I could handle mosquitoes, gnats and two dozen Boy Scouts. No. I would push on. My looking at the guide pages, water will be an issue. There seems to be no shortage of places to stealth camp, but I'll have to be sure to carry extra water. I stopped at the last spring listed on the directions, and I filled my 3L reservoir, as well as, a 2L Sawyer reservoir my mother-in-law had recently sent. That should definitely get me through dinner, breakfast and on to the next water source 8 miles away. The trail was pretty easy; some ups, some downs, mostly flat smooth trail. But my feet were starting to hurt and the 8+ lbs of water weight really registered. There were several options of places to came before Turk Mountain, but I had my mind set on making it past 12 miles since I knew that tomorrow would be really tempting to try to over-exert myself. I found a nice little spot about 20 yds off the trail. It looks like someone might have camped there before, but certainly not recently. I made dinner and hung the bear bag. Bears are supposedly plentiful in the Shenandoah National Park, so I'm being extra cautious. As I was laying in my tent, I heard some foot steps nearby. At first I thought it was another hiker (though I'd only seen 3 other thru-hikers today). But instead of a human as expected, a dainty doe walked into my campground. She didn't see me inside my tent. She walked about 15 ft in front of the tent, back and forth, munching on fresh green leaves. She was completely unafraid. It felt magical. It's raining now. I'm so, so happy to have my tent. Not only does it keep me dry, but it keeps the bugs and gnats off of me. I lay here and watch the mosquitoes, gnats, ants, flies, caterpillars, spiders, snails and all the other little critters try in vain to get to me, but instead they are the frustrated ones. Ha-HA! I also learned an important lesson this evening. There's a saying at home, don't squat on your spurs. Well, you should also not squat on sharp sticks. Half an inch to the right, and I very well could have been back down at the doctor's office in Waynesboro this evening.