Date: 2009-10-28
From: Apple Orchard Mountain

To: Unknown
Miles today: 100.0

The month of October has been an adventure in itself. The highs and lows have been drastic, but the good times prevail over the difficult moments. After the snow knocked me down in the Shenandoahs, I had my winter gear sent to me. Now that I am prepared, things are much better. The weather has warmed up a little, and the views with the changing autumn leaves are more impressive every day. About a week ago I climbed a mountain called the Priest, and it is over 4,000 feet in elevation. I haven¢t been that high since New Hampshire in the White Mountains, so it has been more than a thrill getting to scale larger peaks and ridges lately. The fall colors are transforming from golden yellows to warm reds, and every mountain seems to have a different character. Virginia is more beautiful than I could have imagined, and there is a small, hometown feel that I can sense when passing through. My girlfriend Jess was able to hike with me for a few days which was very nice, however, our trip didn¢t start out so smooth at first. We had arranged for a shuttle to pick us up and drive us down the trail 28 miles so we could hike back to the car. We had some directions on how to get there, but the 73 year old man that drove us had a ¢better¢ way to get there. We asked him if he knew where we wanted to go, and he said he would take us where he knew the AT crossed the road. He dropped us off at this road, and it turns out that we only had 17 miles to do instead of 28. We decided to get out of the car and start hiking because he didn¢t really know where he was going. It was nice slowing down and enjoying the beautiful days we had though. Everyday we collected loads of firewood and had gigantic bonfires that lasted until late at night. We actually set up the tent inside the shelter both nights, and I am glad we did because one night we had visitors! Before we went to sleep I told Jess to wake me up if she heard any gnawing in the middle of the night (I didn¢t want any mice chewing on the tent). I was fast asleep and enjoying my deep slumber when a wide eyed Jess started bumping me saying, ¢Jimmy, do you hear that? I hear gnawing!¢ The rodents were out there alright, but they weren¢t chewing on the tent, so everything was fine. In the morning we were packing our stuff up when Jess says, ¢Are you kidding me?¢ I peered over her shoulder and started chuckling when I saw the BB sized capsules of mouse pellets, innocently nestled inside her shoe. I thought it was funny, and so did she after she dumped the tiny load.Our hike went very well the next few days, and we only saw one other person on one day. When we got to the car we started driving toward town to resupply when we came across a corny, but amusing tourist attraction. Foamhenge! It was an exact replica of Stonehenge made of foam, and it was interesting. I have never been to Stonehenge, but this experience will have to do until I go to England some day for the real thing. It made us laugh walking through the giant foam stones. Just another part of the adventure! I am a little behind the pack of SOBOs still, but I hope to catch up soon. They are all speeding up, and I have been slowing down enjoying my hike every day. Things are still good out here and I only have 750 miles left! That is exciting, but at the same time I know that my journey is coming to an end. The goal is to make it home by mid-December, but we will see how it pans out. I did get a mask to wear on Halloween, so I am looking forward to that also. I hope I don¢t get shot by a scared hunter! I am looking forward to this next stretch of Virginia, and I wish everyone happy trails and a good hike!