No sooner had I written those last words on July 4 when a trail angel arrive with water for hikers. Then my crew arrived. We rigged out and started in on the last six miles to Bears Den Hostel. And what an awful six miles it was. Lots of ups and downs on The Roller Coaster. Very, very hot and humid. Reached Bears Den around 5:30 totally blasted. Had a burger and beer at the Fourth of July cookout but my stomach was too wasted from the heat and a head cold for me to eat more. Good crowd at the hostel for the Fourth, including many acquaintances: Ruby and her dog Jane, Sloopy, Razz, Buzz, Werewolf and Chigger, Gucci and Pooch. I had as much fun as I could before crashing.
Yesterday was much better--a bit cooler and a whole lot less humid. Walked with Bev and Norma north from Bears Den to Keys Gap. We took it easy and took lots of breaks, made 14 miles in nine hours. We left Virginia, sort of since we're walking the Virginia-West Virginia border. Walking was easy after a few early climbs. Had great views from Crescent Rock--could see all the way to the Massanutten Mountain. Much of the forest was fairly recent growth--stick trees with few even moderate diameter ones. But it was pleasant and green.
Stopped at the Blackburn AT Center for lunch. It's a substantial hewn timber structure with a wonderful screen porch. Read The Noodleheads' account of their Hike Naked Day adventures. Also tooka late PM break at David Lessner Shelter which had a very nice porch and gazebo with a bench swing. Got into Keys Gap to find Maggie and Pat Doyle just arrived. Fixed chilli cheese dogs and salad for dinner. Chigger and Werewolf came by and we fed them as well. Pat and Norma shuttled vehicles for tomorrow's hike into Harpers Ferry, Maggie cleaned up from from dinner while Bev and I set up camp about a quarter mile up the trail from the road.
Harper's Ferry tomorrow.
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