Date: 2014-06-08
From: waynesboro, VA

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a Difference a Day MakesReeds Gap 838.7 to Rockfish Gap 857.9Once again we were dropped off by the girls to do a bit of slack packing. Two days ago we did a twenty mile day. It couldn't have gone any better. The following day, however, was much different. Sarah had laid out what seemed like an easy 10 mile day. But once we began we realized it was going to be rocky and it felt like we spent the entire day going up hill. Today's 19 plus mile day was yet again different. We started off in rocks but had no significant uphills. After our first few miles the rocks went away and the rest of the way we had smooth tread way underfoot. The views were lacking a bit. The AT though a "wilderness trail" is not always in the most remote places. All along the way one can see signs of humans' effect on the landscape. Therefore our views were mostly looking over civilization. Even in the woods one can see these signs. When the Blue Ridge Parkway was first developed back on the 30's it displaced many homes and families. Even on the woods miles from any roads we have passed signs of homesteads and even farm lands. We have passed stone walls, chimney stacks, and foundation markers for houses. It is amazing to see how how if left alone the earth can reclaim. Minus these few reminders that people once lived on these lands there is little else to hint that these were ever anything but woods. We made easy work of the miles and enjoyed a great day of hiking. The forecast was for hot and sunny weather into the 90s. Thank goodness for the foliage of the trees. We rarely noticed the heat except on the occasion we crossed over open rock faces and we had plenty of water. All this made for a great day. We even happened upon a cooler in the middle of the woods. Someone had hauled it up from the road crossing and filled it with sodas and gatoraide! Trail magic is awesome. There was a note on the cooler that said the trail angel who had left it was a thru-hiker from 2009, same year as my first hike. We enjoyed the sugary concoctions and continued on our way. Towards the end of the day we came to a shelter. In the woods group sizes are supposed to be limited to no more than 10. Apparently this group had not heeded this rule. They had over 30 kids on a church summer camping trip. A short rest was had here as we felt a bit overwhelmed by the overcrowding of our otherwise peaceful woodland oasis. We had only a few miles to go till we met the girls. In the last two miles alone we saw two bears. The first we heard because he was running away. People always ask if we are scarred of bears. This guy clearly illustrated that they are more afraid of us then we are of them. The last one we saw was atop a hill he didn't run but did walk away. Our best count is now 6. Nature rocks! We walked into the town of Waynesbo at mile 857.8. OK(dad) pointed out that just a short while ago we were celebrating being at mile 700. Our idea of what is possible and our perspective of mileage has changed. In the beginning we could only look towards the next day, maybe the next town. Now we are seeing in a much broader perspective. Georgia seems so far away and so long ago. The Blue Ridge is behind us and the Shenandoah national Park and Skyline drive are before us. The park is known for its abundant wildlife as the many views. It promises to be a great adventure. As always miles and smiles.         Life is good,   Salty