Date: 2014-06-11
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

When I set up my journal for this trip, I sent a link to my family, friends, relatives, and workmates. I included my ex-wife, Evelyn, who I still keep in touch with, though we hadn't seen each other in person in over two decades. Evelyn followed my journal with interest, and since she lives close to the trail in Northern Virginia, suggested that she give trail magic when I pass through the area. That happened today. I recommended we meet at Compton Gap, on the northern edge of Shenandoah National Park at noon. At 11:30, Granders and I arrived at the gap's parking lot and Evelyn, punctual as always, was already there. Granders had been worried that, in response to Evelyn's query for what food to bring, I had replied orange juice, soda, chips, and cookies. Fortunately, she came equipped with that plus the fixings to make sandwiches, fresh fruit, granola bars and snickers. For the next hour, Evelyn and I were able to catch each other up on our lives since 1990, plus she fed a handful of other hikers passing through, including Flinch, I Believe, and Long Bow. Evelyn, it was wonderful to see you again today. And thank you for the trail magic, which made a bunch of hikers very happy.The humidity the past several days has been off the charts; the slightest exertion leaves your face, arms, and legs drenched in sweat. My hiking shirt, which is designed to wick away water, hasn't been completely dry since my second day in SNP. It's rained almost every night in the park, but the nightly storms haven't ushered in any drier air so far. The last few miles to the shelter reminded me of walking through a South American rain forest with the bugs, dense vegetation, and humidity. Not that I've ever been to South America, but if I had, I imagine it would be like the late stages of today's hike.When Anders and I rolled into the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter around 5:00, who should be there but ABear. He got ahead of us the day Granders's shoe fell apart and we made our detour into Luray. ABear went big yesterday, covering 23 miles to get into Front Royal for a resupply and then short today to avoid the rain that threatened in the afternoon. This shelter, by the way, may be the nicest I've stayed at so far. It's spacious and has a large deck out front with a three-person Adirondack bench. It also has a solar shower, which both Granders and I used, though there was no hot water due to today's overcast skies.In leaving Compton Gap, I moved to map AT-11 of 22. Granders pointed out yesterday morning that lots of milestones were coming up, including leaving SNP this afternoon. This weekend we'll hit the 1000-mile mark and enter West Virginia and shortly thereafter Maryland, after having spent the previous 544 miles in Virginia. I'll pass through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in Harpers Ferry early next week, where I'll be assigned a number, thereby finding out how many thru-hikers are ahead of me. Yesterday, AZ texted ABear to say he'd been assigned #509. And late next week I'll reach the trail's half-way point at Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Southern Pennsylvania.