Shenandoah National Park

I just arrived in Front Royal, the town located at the northern entrance of the park. The Appalachian trail runs the entire length of the park- parallel to Skyline drive. Similar to the Blue Ridge Parkway, I found that the views from the overlook pull-offs were much better than through the trees.

I had some very chilly-overcast days. I am SO HAPPY I still have my winter sleeping bag. The park has several "Wayside" stores every 15-20 miles. I hit every one..either for chicken fingers and fries, or a cup of coffee. A hiker simply cannot walk past a short-order grill that is practically on the trail!

I am closing in on the half way point.
I have almosted hiked 1000 miles! WAHOO

I treated myself to a hotel!! ( There really weren't any other options) I loved every minute of the hot shower, comfy bed, and continental breakfast! Oh the simple things in life.

If only I loved fishing ...waynesboro park

Weasies kitchen thankyou!

Saw this etched into an old fence along trail.

Spring is in the air!

Unlike the cows this guy didn't even move off the trail!

Everything is getting so green.

I woke up and realized a mouse had gnawed on my camelbak..

The trail is just ahead....I think 

Trail magic! I was invited to join Paul at a campsite he had paid for in the park. I pitched my tent and we enjoyed great food and stories. Thanks Paul for your generosity! Those burgers were the best.

Sunset in the park.

Just like Texas... Look how flat that is!

 Check out those clouds! This view was taken from Liana's cabin. You can rent cabins throughout the park. She had rented it, and was buy herself so invited me to join. She also gave me coffee and fresh fruit...yay trail magic 

Upon arriving in Front Royal I ate with this gentlemen. He happens to be the Uncle of the head coach for ND bball!

More to come...DC bound!

Views along the Blue Ridge Parkway

I just made it into the town of Waynesboro, VA. It is always so exciting, (and mentally refreshing) to recharge in all of these quaint-cool small mountain towns. I grabbed breakfast at Weasies kitchen- which had a full parking lot and all of the locals. (Grampy's type of place!) I walked up and down the main street and found a doughnut truck, with a line a mile long. A lady in line told me not to miss out- the truck only comes once a week and will be the BEST doughnut I have ever had. (It was.)

The town has made a park for hikers. We can pitch tents there for free and grab a shower form the local YMCA. The pavilion had solar panels so we could charge all of our cell phones. Sweet place and hiker friendly.

My feet HURT! I am not sure if it is the shoes- my pack weight- or the high mileage. I pulled four 27 mile days in the last week. Most likely a combination of all three. I am taking a zero day here to give them some rest. I  have a normal routine of soaking my feet in the ice cold mountain streams, and rubbing them with tiger balm at night. I need to keep my wheels working!

Everything is in full bloom. It has been amazing to see nature burst! Walking along the Blue Ridge Parkway provided breathtaking views. The AT parallels the BRP for several miles. Instead of walking up and down hills, I took to the road. (Referred to as yellow blazing) I received views NOT blocked by the trees and enjoyed conversing with tourist at the overlook pull offs. I even had my pic taken with a mother whose daughter my age wants to hike. (And yes, about twenty "Have you seen the movie Wild?")

I experienced my first thunderstorm. Good-knight, New Hampshire and I were happy to be in a shelter as we watched the thunderstorm from our sleeping bags. The rain eventually turned to HAIL! Every time I get close to sending home my winter sleeping bag- I hesitate and say it might get cold. I am beyond thankful I still have it!

I dodged one rainy, windy night inside Three Springs hostel. Oma cooked us both dinner and breakfast.(YUM) As we all looked outside the window, we were collectively joyous to be indoors. I always wonder where all of my hiker friends are ..scattered along the trail. I was there with Good-kinght and Rambler. I received a package from home-with some sweet new MEGA protein bars to try and my light weight hiking clothes. Thanks for the awesome package!

By the end of the month I will have conquered VA! I am currently working on a mileage plan to meet up with some friends/family in the DC area.  I am approaching that 1000 mile mark!

Happy Trails- New Found

Early morning you are guaranteed to walk through cobwebs!

A little bit of yellow blazing along the parkway

Views along the Blue Ridge Parkway

I hike for fun!?

Uncle Craig and Aunt Kate guess who I ran into!!!!!! Small world

Virginia views

Walking across the longest footbridge on the AT

YES!!!! After a super long day and still two more miles to push I came across this.... Magic

Still haven't decided if these are uplifting or depressing signs

There are various memorials throughout the trail which i enjoy reading

Early morning

It's raining over there!

Nothing beats mountain water!

No rain no pain no Maine!

Just arrived in Troutville and enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Three Pigs BBQ! They even had free dessert for thru hikers. 

Since hiking out of Pearisburg it has rained a lot. I saw a sticker at one of the hostels that read "No rain No pain No Maine" It has become my new mantra!!!

Unfortunately, this week I lost three fellow thru hikers. (Two of whom I have mentioned - Rebel yell and Laurel) It is tough to see people get off the trail.  Having now hiked about one third of the trail, I think the mental challenges are kicking in.

I was blessed to have a view at McAfees Knob! ICREDIBLE. It is the views that make waking up and putting on wet clothes for consecutive days worth it!

View from McAFees knob

Morning sunrise

Early a.m out on trail

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood"

I love people!!!

Since arriving in Pearisburg I have met so many friendly people! In need of fuel, the lady at the grocery store called ahead to the hardware which had just closed five minutes ago, to tell him to wait for me!

Carrying groceries, a backpack, trekking poles and a map, a guy rolled down his window and said, " you have got to be lost." Ugh yup I am.

He gave me a lift to the hostel, which is run by the Catholic Church here. Told me to stop by his house three down on the left if I needed to do laundry, or use his wifi etc.

When I arrived at the hostel again later that evening one of the other hikers told me a guy dropped off an order or wings for Kate. ( it must have been the guy who gave me a lift!!!)

I was able to attend mass and was welcomed warmly. Some hikers don't like spendingmuch time in the towns, but I love meeting people and experiencing the towns. That has been such a big part of this journey thus far.

Meet Ox! He did his masters in theology at ND. We found out we have some mutual friends. He even traveled to the Holy Land with one of my ACE housemates!!

Signs of SPRING 

Every second Subday after mass ... Donuts and coffee... Had fun meeting the locals