Day 81 - Thursday, September 1

Linda

We were glad nobody did come by last night, or they would have had quite an obstacle course to contend with. Besides the tent lines, we had food bags hung in two trees which overhung the trail. This minor violation of Park Policy was our silent protest over not being able to use the shelters, which had been built with hikers in mind in the first place. Alas, no rest for the weary hiker. However, we had slept very soundly in our illegal campsite. We were up and walking by 7:30 and continued climbing on the ridge. On the way down to Simmon's Gap, we stopped at one of the park maintenance stations and filled up with water. This section is pretty dry, and we'd already heard that the spring at Pinefield Shelter was dry, so we didn't bother to stop.

Kept on up a fairly steep climb to Ivy Creek Overlook. It was 9:30 by then, so we stopped for a drink and a munch break. The trail crossed Skyline Drive a couple times in quick succession, then up for a steep huffer-puffer climb before starting down to Ivy Creek. Ivy Creek actually had running water which was a novelty around here this late in the summer. We haven't had an abundant water supply since Connecticut. All that water and we didn't even need any then. Sure could have used some of it through here. We started the climb up to Loft Mountain Campground where we planned to eat lunch. The steep part had switchbacks, so wasn't bad climbing, and the rest was more gentle ups and downs over the open summits. By then the sun was very hot, but the walk was beautiful. The blackberries that are usually growing there had long since died back, due to the dry summer, but the many colored wild flowers were everywhere. Ronald was remembering camping up here in his mere youth, and enjoyed reminiscing, but I had never been on the mountain before, so I enjoyed exploring the new territory.

It was only 11:30 when we got to the campground, but we still hit the camp store with gluttony in our eyes. Bought drinks, ice cream and even potato salad, and went back outside to sit on the grass and feast. Had already come nearly 11 miles. Figured the last 7 shouldn't be too difficult. The tricky part would be getting a ride into Waynesboro. Sat around for about an hour, then figured we'd best move on. Got a cherry popsicle for the road, then hit the trail.

The rest of the trail went by quickly. Before long we were down to the side trail to Doyle's River Cabin. We had been there on a backpacking trip in March. The last time we had done this 2.2 miles there was snow on the ground and our car was parked at Brown's Gap. This time there was no snow and no car waiting, but we blew through there in a half hour flat. We'd forgotten to get water at Loft Mountain, so were running low by then. The water situation wasn't desperate, but it was hot, so we stopped for a minute to refill at Dundo Campground. It was a gentle climb most of the way up to Black Rock, which was very impressive. It was too hazy for much of a view, but the combination of sharp boulders and wind-bent trees was fascinating. The trail had been leveled and cleared of rocks, and it circled around the summit. In Pennsylvania, the trail would have simply run up and over the rock pile, supposedly in an effort to help you commune more closely with the rock formation. Well, my vote is for Virginia's approach to communing with the rocks - viewing from a distance, rather than from under my feet.

We passed by the trail to the shelter, and were down to Skyline Drive around 2:30. Tried our best to get semi-presentable to better our chances of getting a ride, but most big cars and campers don't pick up grubby hikers. We were about to walk down to the next overlook and try to nab a ride by looking pitiful, when Ronald heard a car coming around the curve. He decided to use the power of positive thinking, and said in a loud, clear voice, "The next car is going to pick us up and take us all the way to Waynesboro." I was skeptical, but sure enough, a Pinto wagon pulled up and stopped. The guy was on vacation, and wasn't in a big hurry, so he said he'd be glad to drop us in Waynesboro, even though he wasn't originally planning to go there. Our guardian angel again.. We had a leisurely ride through the rest of the park which sure looks different from a car. We weren't sure where the fire station in town was, so we thanked our friend for the ride and got off at the Tastee Freeze for directions, and of course, ice cream.

It turned out we were only a couple blocks from the fire station, so we walked down and got the royal tour of the fire station from one of the firemen. Later, Fire Chief Frost came by to check on us. He's really a remarkable man. He has heart trouble, diabetes, and is almost totally blind, but he's very active and doesn't let his disabilities stand in his way. He explained to us how he started the hostel three years ago, when a couple of hikers who were also volunteer firemen were stranded in town after having their food and money stolen. Hundreds of hikers have stayed there since then, and everyone hopes it can continue. We certainly appreciated the kindness.

We took showers and read the mail, then gathered up the laundry and went to dinner at the Dairy Queen across from the laundromat. Unfortunately, that laundromat was closed and so were two others we tried. Finally found one that was open after walking all over town. Ronald had already worked off dinner, which hadn't been all that great to begin with, so he headed off to McDonald's for a hamburger. He brought me back some fries to munch on while waiting for the washer to finish. We had washed the tent, so Ronald took it, dripping wet, back to the fire station to set it up on the grass. I waited for the clothes to dry, and by the time I got back, Ronald was in the mood for a float. He ran over to a Kroger's super store across the road, and got ice cream and Dr. Pepper, then went up to the rec room to watch TV and work on the ice cream. I got hooked on watching "The Man in the Iron Mask" and Ronald went back outside at 11:00 to try to sleep. I tried to call Mom and Dad, but didn't get them until 11:30. It was nice and breezy outside, but neither of us could sleep, so we walked over to Krogers again and spent almost an hour walking up and down the aisles, checking out what they had, and trying to think a good midnight snack. What is this unnatural fascination for grocery stores? Finally decided on grapes, and quickly consumed those before going to bed at 1:00.

Ron

We were on the trail in good order this morning and stopped at the Ranger Station at Simmon's Gap just long enough to fill our water bottles. We made good time climbing the ridges despite the hot muggy weather. At Ivy Brook Overlook we stopped to refresh before leaving the ridge. The trail moved down from the hot ridge along side a cool creek. From there we made a hot ascent of Loft Mountain.

By chance we passed the camp store at Loft Mountain campground at lunch time. We couldn't very well leave without buying a couple drinks, ice cream and a pound of potato salad. We carried our delicious goodies out to the grass and devoured it all. Then we laid on the grass an hour before deciding to leave. The next eight miles from Loft Mountain floated by. There were no climbs and only long easy down hills. We arrived at our appointed spot, Black Rock Gap at 2:45.

Black Rock Gap was our goal for today. This would give us enough time to get into Waynesboro and prepare for my parents' arrival tomorrow. Normally we would have hike to Rockfish Gap and then hitch into Waynesboro. Since we are meeting my parents tomorrow for a Labor Day weekend at Peaks of Otter we would not be able to make it. Monday, my parents will drop up off at the Gap to continue our trip south. After 20 minutes waiting, I told Linda that the next car that passed would pick us up and take us into Waynesboro. Sure enough it did.

We arrived in town shortly after 4:00 and began our celebration at the Tastee Freeze. Our next order of business was to find the fire station where the hostel is located. Fortunately it was only a few blocks away. We met with Chief Frost and were given the grand tour. With the tour over, Linda headed immediately for the showers and I for the Post Office. She was done by the time I got back. Then I got a chance to rid myself of the past week's sweat and grime. It felt good to wash the salt, that had been stinging me the last few days, from my back.

My parents won't be here until around 4:30 tomorrow. We have ample time to rest and get our chores done. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Dairy Queen then set out to find the laundromat. We walked all over town and hit three laundromats before we found one that was open. By then I was hungry again so I walked across the street to McDonald's to get a hamburger for me and some fries for Linda.

I wanted to wash the tent since it had gotten pretty dirty. We washed it in a separate machine. When it was done, I stuffed the wet tent into the stuff sack and headed back to the fire station. Meanwhile Linda stayed to finish the clothes. Back at the fire station, I set the tent up on the grass and stretched out to work on my log. Later when I went to pack up the dry tent I notice that the floor was cover with flakes much like skin peeling after a sunburn. It appears that washing the tent in a commercial washer has removed much of its waterproofing. At least the fly seems okay. I hope we don't get any more floods on the trail.

The evening has turned out to very pleasant. A warm wind was blowing and the temperature had dropped. It was already dark when Linda arrived from the laundry. Since we were still hungry, I walked over to the store a got a half gallon of ice cream and some Dr. Peppers. We sat around the fire station watching TV and eating Dr. Pepper floats. With the ice cream gone I went outside to lay under the stars while Linda watched TV.

(18.6 Miles - 1269.5 Total)