Date: 2008-06-20
From: Waynesboro

To: Turk Gap Slak Pak
Miles today: 11.4

First thing today, is to wish my son Tony, a Happy Birthday. I wish I was able to tell him in person.Again, the first priority of any morning is breakfast. So a mile walk to "Weezies", a local favorite for breakfast, that was definitely well worth the walk, sore knee and all.Afterward, we called our friend Dave Berry again to get a shuttle to Turk Gap and do a 11 mile Slak back into Waynesboro. Dave is 61 but looks like he's in his 40's. A blacksmith, has a criminology background and has studied geology. All this and shuttling hikers for the past 18 years out of the goodness of his heart. A true Trail Angel by any measure. I didn't mention That Freckle's family is coming to Waynesboro for a visit.They actually arranged tonights accomodations at the Holiday Inn Express.Did I mention we are hiking the AT?Anyway, Dave dropped us at Turk Gap. Along the way we met a father & Son doing a 2 week hike together. We were eating lunch at a creek in front of a shelter. Just moments before, they had seen a bear when they arrived. The Shenandoah's have one of the highest concentrations of black bears in the U.S.I expressed to Dave & Graham how much I would like to be hiking with my son and at how fortunate I thought they both were. Graham one day you will cherish this time you shared with your father. Trust me on this.After lunch, we continued on to the top of Bear Den Mountain. There was a communication installation there, but outside the fenced area were some metal tractor seats. They were attached to a metal stand buried in the ground. They were actually quite comfortable and made taking a break a little better.Now coming out of the woods and down through a field, we briefly spoke with a park ranger whom was parked along a gravel road, then drove off a minute later. Sprite offered her phone to me to call my son. Thanks Sprite!We were getting ready to leave again, when a pick up started heading our way.There were people in the back, and the presence of gear indicated they were hikers. I then recognized "Wavepool" &" Jersey". Driving was "Bojangles" and "Rodeo" was riding shotgun.Yehaw! it was good to see everyone. Bojangles whom I learned was now off the trail, with chronic knee injuries. Damn Bro, sorry to hear that. However, in true Bojangle style, he put a party on wheels together and was delivering Trail Magic! They promised to meet some other hikers about 30 miles away for a farewell Bojangle party. I am sorry I had to miss that, I am previously committed. However, I toasted a beer in his honor. You have to be careful around here though, other hikers including the trail angel have been fined for alcohol consumption in this National park. I have met a few of them, that's how I found out. The timing was perfect, the Ranger had just left moments before.It was sad to see a familiar face now leaving. You can't help but feel a personal loss, when trail family leaves the trail. Especially a larger than life guy like Bojangles. I met him in Hot Springs and after all these miles was just getting to know him. Good luck my friend, I wish you well!The numbers are diminishing, fewer and fewer people are on the trail. I am reminded of my blessings. Sometimes I think that I am hiking for those who can not, Atleast in spirit anyway.As I was coming down the mountain about the last 12 minutes, I had a bear encounter. I heard him and caught the movement just 30 ft ahead. He was stepping down onto the trail and heading toward me. Still not realizing I was there, I spoke out to him. He stopped cold, we were looking straight at each other. And like that, he turned and bolted away. Alright, bear #1. The encounter reminded me of several other bear encounters I have had.My first of many was in northern Canada. I was on a wilderness canoe trip.Other encounters have always been while solo backpacking. It is an exhilarating & also humbling experience. Moments later, I emerged from the woods and soon we all joined up again. Freckles called her Dad, and he soon arrived. They had arrived earlier into Waynesboro. It was great seeing Mark again. He and his wife Sandra are wonderful, caring, people. I am fortunate to have made their acquaintance and have enjoyed on several occassions there kindness and generosity. Thanks Again!Having a shower felt good. We all went out to eat and caught up since we had last seen them. Freckles really has a terrific family. They all have become an integral part of my journey. I cannot think of the AT without thinking of them all.