Date: 2009-06-02
From: Perkins Drive-Bear Mountain State Park

To: Bentville, VA
Miles today: 0.0

OK, where to begin? Last entry Hammock Hanger picked me up at Bear Mountain in NY. She agreed that the rocky straight up and down trails in NY would not be good for the knee she had recently had operated on so we headed to CT. After picking up my mail drop at Kent we had lunch. During lunch I mentioned that I was game to hike any place she wanted to hike and it did not have to be the A/T. She said "how about the Adirondacks?" Next thing we were on our way to Lake Placid NY to hike some trails she was familiar with but in an area I've never been. Over the next few days we managed to get in some great day hikes - in spite of having rain, sleet, and snow. We had considered an overnight canoe trip but when we found temps as low as the 30's we changed our plans. We climbed Mt Joe and Cascade Peak. On top of Cascade above tree line we were stretched out on the rocky summit soaking up some sun. We felt a few drops of rain and then it had snow mixed in. Next we were getting pelted with 50 mph sleet pellets which felt like someone was blasting us with bb's. We made a hasty retreat down to the tree line. Then the sun came back out. After that we decided it was time to head to a warmer climate. The day we left Lake Placid was on the weather channel because it was snowing again. We headed south on I81 and stopped at Cabela's near Port Clinton. My two week old boots did not survive the PA rocks and Cabala¢s gave me a shiny new pair. We worked our way south with plans of hiking in the VA Highlands but as we got into VA we changed our mind and headed to a canoe outfitter in Front Royal. We booked a three day trip on the Shenandoah River each in a kayak. We were told the river was very high and they were only allowing experienced kayak/canoer's on the river. HH has plenty of experience and I have no fear so shortly we had all our backpacking gear spread out in the parking lot and were picking out what we could fit on the kayak's. We rented some dry bags and were on our way. Forty miles up river the shuttler left us at the river - after warning us about which rapids we were to be very careful about. Stay to the left at this one, the right at another, and just close your eyes and pray before you get to MM24. Keep your life jacket on at all times because it is hard to retrieve your body otherwise. I never knew what would happen in rapids when you are in an open kayak with no spray skirt. The cockpit of these kayaks is about 5 inches above the waterline. One rapid we did had a two foot drop and waves at least a foot and a half. It was a very exciting and extremely wet experience. Especially for HH since she tempted fate by running the Compton Gap rapids twice. She made it through just fine the first time but did it in an inverted position the second time around - and I was there filming it the whole way. All I got was the bottom of her kayak and her head occasionally popping up above the surface of the river. She was laughing the whole way... Back to my hike:Anyway, I made the decision to discontinue my hike on the A/T at this time. I feel there are better things I could be doing with my time as the hike to this point has not lived up to my expectations. Since it is part of a section hike I can return another time and finish the last 800 miles in smaller sections. I've pretty much whipped myself back into shape - though I still have many pounds to lose. I feel physically fit and ready for some new adventure. Bear Bag Hanger is skipping over the CT section and it would have been unlikely we would have hooked up again. He will enjoy hiking with Trailgator through the Whites and I wish him luck and blue skies for the remainder of his hike. HH and I will return to Florida as soon as the river trip is completed. I'll post an update at that time. Goodnight,Lwop