I am currently in Waynesboro, Virginia and am taking a couple zero days here. It’s crazy that the last time I posted I was close to the 400 mile mark and in less than a month I am at mile 861!!😃 Virginia has the most AT miles (544) and I have about 160 left! When I hike out Monday, I will be entering the Shenandoah's!!
I’ve seen a lot more wildlife this past month, including 4 bears (two of which I saw in the past couple days), a Timber Rattler (that I almost stepped on...), a turtle (in the middle of my path), deer (galavanting across the path), and then the usual squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, spiders, and gnats (to my great disdain). The best was when a saw a bear cub. I was climbing up a large mountain and had almost reached the top. It was really overcast that day and I was walking in the clouds. So everything was quiet and eerily serene. Then this bear cub walked out onto the path 10ft in front of me! He turned and looked at me and we locked eyes. I was so in awe and so excited that we just stared at each other for a moment before I realized that I should probably scare this little guy off! So I started singing and he rambled off down the hill. I stood and sang a bit longer making sure momma bear wasn’t near by before continuing my hike. :) It was so cool though!! And the cub was SO cute!!
The Timber Rattler....not a very good pic...but there was no way I was getting any closer!!
One of the greatest parts of the trail is the people! Whether it is other thru-hikers, section hikers, trail angels, or townies. I’ve experienced so much kindness from strangers!!
A week ago, we took a zero day in Daleville. Another thru-hiker, IBTAT, was at the grocery store and a guy recognized him from YouTube videos. He invited him over for steak and said to bring friends. So he invited Rockslide, Nameless, Tokie, and I. We went over to Chris and Jen’s place, where they grilled us up steaks, potato salad, lettuce salad, and dessert!! It was amazing!
A few weeks ago we met and hiked with Shep (a section hiker). He’s one of he most genuine and caring person you will ever meet! He lives near Waynesboro and is actually putting us up while in town! He has gone out of his way to make us feel at home and taken care of!
Shep & I road tripping to get farm fresh ice cream!!
In Glasgow, the only restaurant in town is closed on Mondays. So this small Episcopal church there does a hiker feed every Monday! They have 12 members and wanted to be able to do something to reach out.
That is just a very, very brief overview of the type of people I have met and the great amounts of kindness I have received!!
The scenery out here is absolutely amazing!!
Spy Rock
McAfee Knob
We hiked up to McAfee's and hung out for the afternoon and the sunset. Then we hiked .5 to a campsite where we cowboy camped and hiked back up for sunrise in the morning!! It was so incredible! Every time I am just in complete awe and wonder!! And pictures don't do these scenes justice!!
Nameless & I
I have been hiking with Nameless since mile 200! She is a SOBO from last year and is finishing up her thru-hike half wya through the Shenandoah's. I'm super proud of this girl, but I am going to miss her so much!! We are definitely soul sisters.:) Apparently we look a lot alike, because we get asked multiple times if we are sisters!!!
Sunrise at McAfee's Knob
Dragon's Tooth
Keffer Oak, largest & oldest tree on the southern part of the AT
Grayson Highlands
Wild ponies!! They love to lick you!! However, we walked by in the morning and weren't sweaty enough....so they mostly just ignored us...we just weren't salty enough. :)
Oh, and I officially had to retire my first pair hiking shoes. They carried me well over 750 miles!! I would have continued to wear them if my left toes didn't flip out every time I tripped over a rock...lol. 😂😂 I ordered a new pair, and they just aren't the same. Not sure why, but they have caused bruising on the tops of my feet and several parts of my feet of rubbed raw. So I am going to have to figure out something. :/ You can pray for the healing of my feet!!
Anyway....until next time...:)
