Date: 2015-06-06
From: Va. 522 Front Royal, Mountain Home Cabbin

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: few clouds

After enjoying another breakfast at the hostel, and a hug from Lisa, I set out onto the Trail again. The weather was a bit chilly to start, perfect for hiking, with some breeze. Though it looked as though it might rain at times this morning, thankfully it stayed dry and continued to clear as the day progressed. I was to meet family at 10am, so I needed to make quick work of nearly 8 miles in 3 hours... doable, but I felt a bit rushed. I followed a rabbit up the Trail at first. Later, a turtle was heading north. Hmm...so, slow and steady sometimes does get you ahead...I saw southbound trail runners. I saw southbound trail hikers. I came to some railroad tracks, just before I arrived at the road I was to get off at to head for the Apple House Restaurant of Linden, Va. At the tracks, several people were standing next to their cameras, set up on tripods, watching for a steam engine to pass by. As I hurried across the tracks, they urged me to stay and see the train. I explained my appointment, and kept going. About a mile up the road, a car pulled over, and the guy asked if I would like a ride to the Apple House. Apparently the train had passed, he'd gotten his photos, and I got trail magic! It was further to the Apple House than the 1.2 miles I'd believed, so it really made my day. And once I explained that family, friends and food trumped a train to a thru-hiker (especially a mom who's been on Trail for over 2 months) he agreed. I arrived just moments before my family, too, great timing!!! And we filled ourselves with wonderful BBQ, their special doughnuts, and conversation. I received trail magic from the hostel owners: Scott had left 2 requested items for me with the restaurant people: an old tennis ball to work my sore feet (yikes! Plantar fasciitis in my left heel) and a birthday candle for my daughter's doughnut...he even included a couple matches, so thoughtful! I then received trail magic from Shirley: a mini tube of toothpaste (I forgot to resupply this item yesterday) and a black and white cookie (aka half-moon....it only made it til suppertime!). Then more trail magic from my daughter, who brought goodies from home, plus my new pair of trail shoes, some of her birthday cheesecake (yum! Eva you are a bake genius) and a cold Dr. Pepper. Would you believe it? I was too full to drink the whole thing!!! (Later this afternoon I was dying for it). Melody and Sean drove me back to the Trail and we managed to get the photo, complete with all 3 of us, the AT sign and a white blaze Just up the Trail a pair of SOBO thrus from 2014 were doing trail magic, giving out cookies and brownies. I still can't believe this but I turned them down!!! It just killed me but my pack gained several pounds already at the Apple House...rats!A bit later, I was hiking and met a pair of SOBO section - hiking ladies, who chatted briefly with me, then one of them, Spider-Woman, gave me her number to call if I need a trail angel when I get near Albany, NY. I hiked on, and saw a snake (see pics). Then I saw a newt. It was a long stretch with no people for a while, and then I saw a young woman stopped for a snack, on a day hike, and we chatted briefly. Later, I truly enjoyed walking through Sky Meadow State Park, very serene (see pics). Finally, I arrived at the shelter for tonight, where the last tent platform was too small for my tent (not doing that again, nuh uh) so I'm in the shelter with Rockboat, Pork Chop, and Lightning. Ukalady and Chameleon are tenting here, as well as a few others I don't know. It's way past hiker midnight again, so I will end now.