Date: 2018-05-12
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Campsite mile 1007.8
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The climbs and descents at the beginning of today were really easy and by 11:30 I had made it 9 miles and barely broke a sweat avoiding the hot weather forecasted for later on. You could tell it was going to get hotter for sure.I ate lunch at a shelter right at the southern end of the roller coaster as it's known. It's 13.5 miles of constant ups and downs all between 300-600 feet or so. I made it a point to get my caffeine fix and a good meal in me before attempting it. Someone have even left a small bin of Gatorades at one of the trailheads so I was able to get some electrolytes in me before the heat and climbs too.I started up the climb having been hiking completely alone all day. I ran into two thru hikers then started running into a bunch of day hikers. It was Saturday of course! Most of the time day hikers are pretty cool. Hell, I was a day hiker the majority of the past few years. Today though, a lot of them seemed to be oblivious to the fact that they were on the AT and very few of them even said "hi" back to me when I pulled off the side and greeted them which I try to do all the time if I can. There was one older couple, however, that greeted me with a big smile and said "you'll make it all the way" in a gentle tone. Thanks to this older couple, you rock!I passed a 4 foot black snake on one of the climbs and supposedly it wasn't venomous at all but it still freaked me out. I can deal with a lot but snakes aren't my strong point.I continued going up and down on the afternoon ride on the coaster. No big issues except I was sweating wicked bad. I was drenched. I came to a gap where all the day hikers had parked and had a gentleman give me another Gatorade! He was helping a friend he knew that was thru hiking and we chatted for a few minutes. I guzzled two Gatorades then went up trail immediately regretting it. Luckily, I stopped to talk to a Patomac Appalachian Trail Maintainer and that gave me time to digest a bit.Further along I passed the 1000 mile marker! Again, just a bunch of rocks and sticks in the shape of 1000 but I yelled with happiness at the sight of it. Of course it was past the day hikers peak destination so I didn't have anyone to join in the excitement but it was still awesome!More ups and downs brought me to Bear's Den rock outcropping where more people had done a leisurely mile hike up for the views. I asked someone to take my picture and they were happy to. When I asked someone where a side trail went, they said "well you're on the Appalachian Trail." I replied as kindly as I could muster "I know, but where does this trail go?" I think it took him a minute to put two and two together. My stench, a big backpack and coming from a different direction than everyone else gave it away eventually.I decided not to stay at Bear's Den Hostel only 0.1 off trail and instead pushed on. At a gap 0.6 from the top, I walk 0.3 miles down a road to where Speedy had said there was a restaurant. There was indeed! I had a great rest at the Horseshoe Curve Restaurant as I sat at the bar by myself with just the bartender at 4pm drinking a cold Bud light after all that heat. Unfortunately, the deep fryer wasn't working, so I had to order a salad with my burger instead of fries and mozzarella sticks. What a shame for me but it went a long way in helping me eat healthier. I could feel it after leaving! Upon leaving, Speedy was coming down the road and was planning to eat then meet me at a campsite. The veggies drove me 3 more miles to a peak just over the border into West Virginia. I was so pumped to have hit 1000 miles and cross into West Virginia even though I would cross back into Virginia once or twice more only for a few miles each time.I camped at a semi-established tentsite near the peak protected by some trees and part of the mountainside. I was happy for this because I had heard there was a big storm coming through tonight and I was hoping that this spot would keep me dry enough. After pitching my tent and taking care of chores I laid around as the winds picked up. The breeze felt amazing and reminded me of some Florida storms that would come through as we use to visit my grandmother.