Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail
State Guide | Elevation
Map | Fun Facts
Gear | Photos | Guestbook
| Mailing
List | Home
|
|
Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
 |
29th May 2002 From:
Waynesboro 
It's 7:30 P.M. and I've just set up camp on the top of a hill just off the
trail. I'm halfway through dinner, which is (for those who are
interested): Thomas's Bagel (with sesame, poppy, and sunflower seeds,
onion, and garlic) with Vegemite and cheddar cheese. Those Thomas's bagels
are delicious. I have just cooked a lentil soup bought from the
supermarket and it will be ready in a few minutes. I'll then finish off
with a peppermint tea.
Well, the lentil soup was delicious. It was one of these that come in a small plastic bucket so all you have to do is add boiling water, stir, and let stand for five minutes. I found it in the health food section. There have been two deer walking all around me while I have been having dinner, clearly they are used to seeing people regularly. For those at home, I have just hung my food bag from a tree limb about 15 feet off the ground. The bag has all my food, toothpaste, hand cleaner, and insect repellant in it. You need to hang anything that has a scent that the bears might think is food. If you keep it near you or in your tent they could come along and get it! After having an early breakfast this morning, I sat on the balcony of my room and watched the world go by for a few hours. At 10:00 A.M. one of the local volunteer shuttle drivers, Ed Young, came and picked me up. He also dropped down to the campsite at the YMCA and picked up 'Three Day' and his friend, who is hiking with him for the next week. Ed told me he has been living in Waynesboro for 56 years, when he came here after the 2d World War. I guess he must be in his 70's or early 80's. He's a great chap who loves driving hikers around for free. I don't know the exact population of Waynesboro, but my guess is it's around 5000. It's a nice town with very friendly people. By the time I got dropped off at Rockfish Gap it must have been around 11:00 A.M. before I hit the trail. I had only planned to hike to the first shelter which is 7 miles, but I didn't like the shelter area when I got there and as it was still early afternoon, I decided to fill my water bottles and press on for another three hours or so. Also, because I had new boots, I had assumed my feet might be hurting until they were broken in. However, I am very fortunate as the new boots are nice and roomy and gave me no cause for concern. The trail today was very good. The elevation is around 2700 feet and the hills are very gentle. I expect it will be like this through the whole Shenandoah National Park. Mid-afternoon, as I came around a bend, all hell broke loose and about eight grouse (pictured) scattered everywhere in front of me. Some of them were clearly chicks, but they could still fly. One of the adult birds came back down the trail with feathers all spread trying to scare me off. With that, I'll say goodnight all. |
|