Virginia
Shenandoah National Park

"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time."

Journal Entry 5.13.00
"7pm at Calf Mountain Shelter, 7 miles north of Waynesboro. Dad left early this morning after we had breakfast at the hotel. I lounged in the air-conditioned room until 1pm and then started the hike out in the dreadful heat. I saw my first rattlesnake on the trail today - it was so cool! He was just sitting in the grass right next to the trail. There's a big crowd here tonight - Freddie, Cruise Control, White Eagle, Geezer, Catchup, and Red Forest as well as some weekend warriors. I carried in the bottle of Jack Daniels from my mail drop and gave it to Freddie who then proceeded to drink the whole bottle! He is presently sitting in the shelter with a very nice grin on his face!"

Journal Entry 5.14.00
"Mother's Day. 20.4 miles today. 8pm at my campsite at Loft Mountain Shelter. I'm here with Coloradoo - the campground is still closed for the season so it's just us in this big old place. Got some trail magic from the Honeymooners today at the 13 miles shelter - they brought us cold sodas and beer and bananas and cookies. What a treat! I've got a banana for my breakfast tomorrow. The terrain was good today but my allergies were really bothering me all day - stuffy head, itchy eyes, itchy throat - ugh. I got some drugs off of Cruise Control - hopefully they will help me breathe."

Journal Entry 5.15.00
"9pm at campsite just north of the South River picnic grounds. 21 miles today and I don't know why but I am BEAT."

Journal Entry 5.16.00
"8pm at Rock Spring Hut. 18.5 miles today. Felt better today than the last 2 days - the allergies are still bad but not as bad. I felt stringer hiking today too - I think the drugs Cruise gave me really knocked me out. Saw my first bear today, on my way to Big Meadows just after Milan Gap. Actually I only saw his big black butt running away from me. It was a beautiful butt though and I was happy to have seen it! I'm here with Coloradoo, White Eagle, Horses Trot, and D-Low. Breakfast tomorrow at Skyland!"

Journal Entry 5.17.00
"6pm at Pass Mountain Hut. 15 miles today. Stopped for a hardy All-You-Can-Eat breakfast buffet at Skyland after 4 miles of hiking. I continued another 9 miles with Coloradoo and Horses Trot - I was feeling sluggish after all the food I ate but the conversation helped keep me going. We got to Thorton Gap at 3:30pm only to find that the restaurant was not open! Boy were we disappointed. I considered hitching to Elkwallow but decided instead to just go to the shelter and have an easier day. There are SO many deer in this park!"

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