New Gear. Old Gear.

Finally bought a good swing away bike carrier and a solid hitch for mounting it. No more disassembling the bikes to fit them in the camper. With the swing away I can open the back end with out removing the bikes. Very nice. Maggie and I tried it out on a Sunday ride.

That ride also proved the value of a critical piece of old gear, my helmet. A couple of miles into the ride I was dodging washboard cracks on a wet, mossy trail near The Evergreen State College. I cut just a bit too sharply, my bike slid out from under mi and I and went down on my right knee and shoulder and slammed my head on to the pavement. My helmet took the hit and saved what's left of my brain. I wasn't injured and rode another six miles with Maggie around the Evergreen campus and vicinity but wisely canceled my plans to ride an additional six miles home from there.

Four days later everything is healing. No sign of any traumatic brain injury symptoms, which was my biggest concern after I realized nothing was broken or lacerated. Once again, I lucked out.

Sketchbook 06.23.02

Trail Journal 06.21.02

So now I am off the trail for about two weeks while Maggie visits. It's a longer time than I anticipated and it distresses me to think that I will "miss" this time. On the other hand, I get to see Maggie so I'll just have to accept the hiatus. I won't exactly be absent from the trail--Bev Carver and I will hike about 25 miles this weekend and Maggie will hike the remaining Shenandoah miles with me while she is here. But I've lost my cohort for a while, at least until I catch up with Red and Gary farther north which means I will do some yellow blazing. An insistent voice in my head tells me that I'm a slacker for skipping trail miles, that I'm not doing a "true" AT hike. But I'm doing what I can do, all things considered, and it's "my hike".

Trail Journal 06.19.02

Made it to Rock Springs Hut just in time to miss the rain--one of the true victories on the trail. Now that I am walking south through Shenandoah National Park, I am seeing folks who kept walking north from Rockfish Gap. Met up with Red and Gary and the rest of my recent cohort as I approached Skyland. Was good to see everyone again--Zues, Kinky, Two Timer, Bill, Ursula and Full Moon Walking. Radar was at this hut when I arrived but moved on to a room at Skyland. Now they are all past and I can see who is walking "behind" me. Rained last night--stayed dry during the night but it was wet packing up this morning. Wasn't too cold overnight but I'm in the shelter tonight and hope I'll be warm enough in the worthless light bag I got for summer weather. If not, maybe I'll walk the full 20 miles to Swift Run Gap and bail into Harrisonburg tomorrow. Spent a lot of time around the table talking to shelter companions. Several are northbound thru-hikers: Beatnick, L-Passo and English Bob (last seen at Fontana Village in NC). Others are section hikers: Weedeater (Harpers Ferry south for a month), Bob (Duncannon, PA to Waynesboro, VA) and Kitchen Sink II (not sure). Lots of conversation and frivolity but also some serious observations about the value of the trail experience, about the sense of community and caring among the hikers. It's certainly true tha we can easily relate to each other. It took little time to become "old friends". We have much in common that creates a common bond.

Trail Journal 06.15.02

Made it to Rockfish Gap in quick time yesterday--5 miles in just under 2 hours. Trail was pretty easy but weather was warm and humid even at 6:30 am. Had rain showers starting around midnight, continuing through breaking camp so we were damp pulling out. Woods were very misty and foggy so we got no views through the wood line. Saw a box turtle on the trail just after leaving camp. Rockfish Gap was completely fogged in when we arrived--the long-closed HoJo's and other empty building made it look very deserted. Fortunately the gas station had a pay phone so we were able to reach long-time friend Peyton who picked us up almost immediately. Went to Shoney's in Waynesboro for the breakfast buffet. So now I've been at Peyton's for over 24 hours and am enjoying the leisure. I went into Waynesboro to shuttle Red and Gary back to the trail and saw many hikers in the process: Zues, Kinky, Two-Timer, Sir Lady James and Green Man. Also saw the raft that some hikers will try to float on to Front Royal. It's a real work of art: 4 or 5 inner tubes lashed together with a styrofoam deck and a blue poly tarp superstructure. The stern has an inflated kiddie pool for beer; the bow has tiki torches. Seeing all the hikers reminds me that the AT is indeed a moveable feast. Some of these folks have been partying all the way from Georgia. I guess we're all partying in a way--we are on permanent vacation.

Trail Journal 06.13.02

Last night with Red and Gary for a while and I'm feeling sad.  We've done well as a team these last 11 weeks.  I wonder how I will do on my own.  I worry that I'll not be able to rejoin them after hanging out with friends and Maggie in Virginia these next few weeks.  And on and on.  But I wan to visit with and be with Maggie and I cannot do both so I've come up with a plan that balances things about as well as can be. 

Walking this morning was hard.  It was hot and humid even at 5:30 am.  Air was still and stifling.  Red, Gary and I walked together from Maupin Field.  I found the overlook where I used to hang out and where Toby's ashes [the dog who accompanied me on so many trips here before we moved to Arizona] are buried.  It pleased me to be there as pare of my thru-hike.

After that, the going was tough.  North of Reeds Gap the trail crosses to the west side of the ridge where it was relocated to avoid the impact of development.  The relocated trail was rocky and the stifling air made it feel like we were in a subterranean passage.  Was glad to finally get back on the ridge.  Still, it was hard going in the humid air. 

Afternoon was much better.  We got to Paul Wolfe Shelter around 3:00 pm.  It's much better than most of the recent ones--has a covered porch and cooking area.  It's set above and overlooks Mill Creek which is running strong and flows through a pleasant valley.  We had a relaxing afternoon so I am not writing late into the evening as has been the case so many days lately.

Tomorrow R&G go to Waynesboro which is the latest Mecca for thru-hikers.  Seems funny to me since it's just Waynesboro(*).  But after 11 weeks on the trail, I understand the lure of any town.

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(*)  I was married to a woman from Waynesboro and saw a lot of the town during those years.

Sketchbook 06.13.02