Date: 2003-06-19
From: Jewell Hollow Overlook

To: Tuscrora Trail Crossing
Miles today: 15.9

A very good night of sleep was in store for me. It was pretty cold, but just warm enough that I didn't get chilled. I am only geared right now for 60 degrees at night so I hope summer comes soon. My sock liners have a seam that runs across the tops of my toes. Now I have blisters there, too. It was the only place on my feet that weren't blistered. I went without sock liners, but the blisters are still there, so I hiked in my Tevas again. I wonder how many miles they have on them. My first 5 miles went very slowly. It may be because I'm bear hunting. I don't use my poles much because they make noise. I didn't listen to my radio, either. Soon enough, I saw a bear. I was an exciting 15 yards away when it turned and lumbered away. This time I got pictures. It seemed annoyed at me chasing it through the woods with my camera, but it was faster than me. I highly recommend visiting the Shenandoah National park. The hiking is easy. The accommodations are excellent. And the wildlife is amazing. Just if you do come here, bring a cheeseburger to give to a weary hiker. I picked up the pace the last half of the day and made better time. I came upon a store, and it had a grill. I couldn't help getting chicken strips plus a cheeseburger to go. I ate the chicken strips and fries which were pretty good. Afterwards, I ate the cheeseburger, too, just for the hell of it. As soon as I left, the sky darkened so I walked as fast as I could until the storm could hold off no longer. I got set up just in the nick of time. I was hoping to do a little more hiking today but it isn't that important. I will be able to get to the Fort Royal post office before Saturday at noon. Lately, I have been with a different group. Actually, they are all solo like me. Tater is a frail man about 65. It turns out that he has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail twice. He didn't let anyone know it but he had hyperthermia the other day in the cold rain and was in his sleeping bag at 3pm trying to stay alive. Another hiker I've recently met is Viking. He is from Germany and a very pleasant chap. It turns out that he sometimes dreams in English (I asked). Also, there is a neat woman about 60 years old named Journey. She may hike a little slower than me, but she has really kept absolutely in shape and her speed is more set by the amount she wants to enjoy the trail. As for me, I am very happy with my pace. I should be able to be at the midway point on July 1st. That means I took 3 months to go half way, the second half should be cake to finish in another 3 months. I won't have to really push myself and risk injury. Most of all, it is peace of mind in knowing I'm on schedule. I have been careful not to fall into any psychological pitfalls. It is why I made sure didn't slack pack or yellow blaze. If I had, I would have known deep down that I didn't really do it and would have stopped altogether. Virginia has taken its toll with all the rain and featureless landscape, but I am almost done with it. I can smell West Virginia it is so close now. I have heard that Loser and Gazelle are hiking together about one day back. Did I call that one or what? I warned the wardens about Loser's tendency to trample the wildlife. They said they would keep an eye out for him and shoo away any critters from in front of him if necessary. Peace,Dutch