Date: 2010-05-31
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Blackrock Gap/Maryland
Miles today: 19.3

Today was completely full of surprises. Despite being in town, I was able to get an early start on the trail thanks to Anne, another trail angel on the shuttle list who picked Kelly and I up at the YMCA and dropped us off at the trail head by 9:30. Not long after I hit the trail I see the back of somebody registering for their permit through the park. To my surprise Red Hat turns around! I had seen Red Hat at trail days, although she had passed me during my two weeks off the trail, she had taken a few days off in Waynesboro and I had now caught up with her once again. We both filled out our paperwork and headed up the trail.It was another hot and humid day, the forecast called for temperatures around ninety and I had no doubt they were correct. The humidity once again was brutal, but I was still happy, and happy it wasn't raining as well (although the forecast did call for rain in the afternoon).I don't know what people were talking about when they said the Shenendoah's were flat, they aren't. The park is full of little ups and downs, there are rocks as well, but somehow it is easy to put in high miles. The time goes by fast, maybe it's all the roads you hit. But I found myself cruising throughout the day with visions of arriving at the Loft Mountain Campground for the night. I knew the Shenandoahs were known for their high population of bears, so I also (despite listening to music) kept the rest of my senses keen and alert. Apparently the bears in the SNP have little fear of humans and dogs therefor they may not avoid me because of Kelly. I sincerely hope that I see a bear in my visit to the park.I ended up eating lunch at one of the parking areas, a bagel with cheese and way too much caffeine and chocolate! Kelly got in trouble, I went to pour her some water in her bottle and as soon as I looked away she tried to snatch my food. She has had so many hikers feeding her at the wrong times (like when she begs or is doing something naughty), that she feels like she can just take food now. It is a horrible habit and she knew I was dissapointed in her, I hope she learns because it's an awful thing for her to do on the trail.It was late afternoon when I hit Blackrock Gap parking area which was less than a mile from the shelter. I stopped for a quick break and Captain Slick, who I had met the first couple of days on the trail and haven't seen since gets out of the car with a couple. Well, I ended up talking to the couple and somehow the topic came up that I was hoping I would have been in Harper's Ferry at this time to visit my sister for our birthday, but it didn't work out. Turns out, they were headed up to the same general area my sister lives in ande were willing to drop me off on the way! Talk about being at the right place at the right time! It was so wonderful to talk to them along the way, Carmella owns a few horses at her place in California so we had a lot to talk about in that subject. It was a couple of hours later when I got dropped off in Rockville, my sister had no idea I was coming and she was extremely shocked! It took her a few seconds to realize it was actually me, at her apartment in Maryland I'm very happy things worked out, although I still need to figure out how to get back to the trail, I am sure something will work out.