Date: 2018-08-27
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Just an update for the 2 previous days...left RI on Saturday night on a train at 11:00pm. Traveled to Washington DC where I changed to a bus for the rest of the trip to Waynesboro, VA. Everything went smoothly until 40 miles before Waynesboro.The bus had mechanical problems and it would only run for 2 minutes at a time. So the bus driver had to turn on the bus and it would run for 2 minutes and then completely shut off.  She had warning lights on the dash that told her when the bus would shut off and she was able to get to the side of the road and wait a few seconds and start it up and drive for another 2 minutes. It was a long ride to Waynesboro but we got there only an hour late. There was silence on the bus while all this was happening. I guess we all just wanted it to keep running.When I got to Waynesboro, Red, a shuttle driver from Stanimal's hostel, was waiting for me. I'd been texting him and keeping him updated with what was happening. On our way to the hostel, the car started running really rough  and I wasn't sure we were going to make it but we did. I had reserved a private room at the hostel because I knew I wouldn't have slept much on the train the night before and wanted to be able to take a nap if I could. The room had 2 twin beds and a loveseat and dresser. It was spotless as was the bathroom. I highly recommend this place. It is close to several fast food restaurants and has several options for resupply. I went to Arby's and to a Walmart Neighborhood Market. Didn't feel like a nap but was in bed before 9:00.The Stanimal's shuttle took me to the trail at 8:00am and I was hiking by 8:15. One mile from Rockfish Gap is the southern border of Shenandoah Natl. Park. There is a kiosk where you register and get a Backcountry permit. It's free but you must have it. About five minutes after the kiosk I heard rustling in a bush next to the trail..it was too loud for a squirrel, chipmunk or bird so when I was about 10 ft. from it I cleared my throat a couple of times loudly and a bear ran out of the bush and down the hill away from me. I stood and watched then he turned around and looked at me. He was about 20 yards down the hill and I decided it was time for me to move on. He didn't move or make any attempt to follow me. It was a neat bear sighting.Today's hike was hot but much easier than what we did in NH and ME. The trail crosses Skyline Drive all the way through the Park. Today I crossed it twice. I crossed Bears Den Mountain, Little Calf Mountain and Calf Mountain. Before I crossed Skyline Drive at Beagle Gap I crossed a gravel road that they probably use to get to Bears Den Mountain (there are communication towers at the top). I stopped and looked to my left and there was a bear just moseying on the road eating from the bushes. He walked a few feet toward me but was too busy eating to care that I was watching him. He was probably 50 yards from me and then he just walked back into the woods. Wow, 2 bears in a couple of hours!Had to carry more water today because there were no water sources until .1 mile from the shelter. I got there at 1:00, filled up and walked on to the shelter. I was staying here tonight because the next shelter is 13 miles further. I had just started looking at the tent sites when another hiker walked in. We both chose our site and I ate lunch. The hiker who came in was part of a 3-sister section hiking team (Mae and Laura and I can't remember the oldest sister's name). They started at the northern border of SNP and will finish tomorrow. Their mother has provided support every couple of days when they cross the road. Today is Laura's birthday and they had a little section of streamers and balloons that they hung up at the shelter. Another couple (Jim and Lisa) also arrived...they are doing the southern 50 miles of the SNP.  It was a fun group and kept me from missing Rosie Red so much. She would have loved this section of trail.