Sun., April 21, 2019. Day 13/69. Big Meadow Campground. 38.5289N78.4386W. 17.0 miles. 7 hrs, 35 mins. 2.2 mph. 926.2 / 1,265.8 to go.

I had a great day hiking. I was going to stop at about 8 miles, but decided at Lewis Campground to go on rather than waste the rest of the day. That puts me ahead by one day to meet up with the Coxs.

I arrived at Lewis Campground at 12:35 pm. I did 8.2 miles in 3 hrs. 25 mins. 2.4 mph. Good speed for me.

Danger Boy and T-Bird, who I met a couple days ago stayed at the Country View Motel in Elkton. We started hiking together. They are two sharp looking brothers. Very friendly. T-Bird is quieter than his brother. The driver from the motel gave me a ride first. At the gate to the park the tenet required I pay a $15 entrance fee. I told her I wasn’t required to pay the fee as I was a thru hiker. She insisted, so I had to pay. I was very unhappy about that. I gave my receipt to the driver, which was also a re-entry pass, to give to the brothers. When he brought them the tenant let one of them get through on my pass, even though she knew it was mine. She was one dedicated solder and didn’t care what was correct, only that she was going to get her fee.

While on the trail I met No Service and No Name at Lewis Campground. No Name went home from the camp. He was having problems with his feet. He had the problem before and the doctor had told him to stop if it flared up again. I camped the next two nights with No Service. He is a very fast hiker.

I also met Wow at Lewis Campground. He is from Tasmania. He has hiked part of the PCT with his wife. He did an article for National Geographic. While videoing he would ask his men, do you have any “Words of Wisdom?”. They gave him the name of WOW - Words of 

Wisdom.

I camped with No Service and Wow at the Big Meadows Campground. It cost $20 which I paid. I was the first there. Both offered to pay, but I said no. It was a good campground in the SNP.

Pictures:

1. Me at Big Meadow restroom.
2. No Service and Wow at our Big Meadow Campground in SNP.
3. Me and my tent.

Sat., April 20, 2019. Day 12/68. Country View Motel, Elkton, VA. 38.3699N78.5832W. No hiking today.

I am always busy on a non hiking day. I bought my knee band to try out. Elkton is a small, but full service. Weather is good. The big storm passed through. I am expecting some blow down on the trail from the news reports last night about the heavy winds.

Country View Motel; Elkton, VA.

Fri., April 19, 2019. Day 11/67. Country View Inn, Elkton, VA. 38.3699N78.5832W. 11.6 miles. 5 hrs, 10 mins. 2.2 mph. 909.2 / 1,282.8 to go.

The big event today was that I beat the heavy thunderstorm that was coming in the afternoon. I even got lucky and beat the rain. It was a bad storm. There were tornadoes from it, but none close to Elkton where I am staying.

At the shelter we all got up at 5 am. There were a couple ready before me, but they didn’t want to hike in the dark. I wanted to try and get off the mountain before the storm.

I made much better time than I expected to. The trail was moderate most of the way. I was in the clouds 90% of the time. I had my pack cover on and it did the job. I was damp all over because of the heavy mist, but got only a few sprinkles. The rain started about one hour after I got checked in. The wind was also very heavy causing it to rain sideways. I am guessing being in the shelters it would have been miserable.

In my rush I didn’t take any pictures.

Thur., April 18, 2019. Day 10/66. Pinefield Shelter. 38.2905N78.6456W. 13.2 miles. 7 hrs, 00 mins. 1.9 mph. 897.6 / 1,294.4 to go.

A very good day. My left knee didn’t have any pain. About 3 1/2 hours my left knee got stiff. At noon I stopped for 20 minutes. I took off my pack and ate lunch. My left knee loosened up and stayed loose the rest of the day. My right foot toes are hurting. It doesn’t feel like my toes are smashing the front of my shoes. It feels like they aren’t getting enough blood. I will figure them out and solve the problem.

There are 5 others at the shelter tonight. 

Four Eyes, She is the Ridge-Runner. That means she takes care of the AT trail in Shenandoa. There is 102 miles in SNP. She has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail. She has a doctor degree in Physics. She is very friendly and knowledgeable. She does strongly believe that our wilderness are in real danger from the global warming.

The forecast for tomorrow’s thunderstorms in the afternoon. Everyone in the shelter is planning to get up at 5 am and get on the trail at light which occurs at 6:15 am.

I also met Tin Man and Uinys. She worked at Ohio State. She has a Doctors degree. Her last position was over the universities development. Very impressive person. She has hiked many different trails including Daniel Boone and the Florida trail. It is interesting to listen to the experiences of the other hikers.

PICTURES:  

1. In one section there was a lot of blown down from the ice storm they had this last winter.
2. Deer. Not scared at all.
3. Big white tail. Very pretty when they run and it sticks high in the air.
4. Trail through small pines.
5. Stream crossing.
6. Celeste, Four Eyes, who is the Ridge Runner.
7. Pinefield Shelter with me in picture. Couple just starting to hike. FouEyes, and Tin Man.

Wed., April 17, 2019. Day 9/65. Black Rock Shelter. 38.2145N78.7431W. 13.0 miles. 7 hrs, 15 mins. 1.8 mph. 884.4 / 1,294.4 to go.

Second day after resting for my left knee. I didn’t have any internal knee pain, but was sore at the end of the day. I believe the pain was because of the brace I wore. Tomorrow I am not going to use the brace.

I woke up at 6:05 this morning and was on the trail by 7:05. It made me feel good to get going so fast.

It was an easy and very enjoyable trail. Last week was not enjoyable, and I was wondering if I would want to hike the entire trail. I am glad to have found out that I just needed to get back into the grove.

The mosquitoes showed up. According to the other hikers there haven’t been any yet. I didn’t think there was any mosquitoes, but the next day I had 4 different bites. I didn’t think that they would bite me. WRONG. So, I will have to start using repellent.

I met Four Eyes at the shelter. She is the Ridge Runner. She maintains the trail. She is like a ranger. Her name some a hat that she had on her hike of the AT which had eyes on it. She recommended I use a knee band that she uses. I am going to get one to try it out. Here is a picture of it.

Tue., April 16, 2019. Day 8/64. Calf Mountain Shelter. 38.0858N78.7856W. 7.7 miles. 4 hrs, 40 mins. 1.6 mph. 871.4 / 1,307.6 to go.

Today was the first day for me to try hiking after taking a break because of my knee. My knee still was a problem, but did pretty good. Only once while climbing up a steep grade did I have any pain. The rest of the time it was sore, but didn’t have the pain I had last week.

Thanks to my medical advisors, Linda, Cambria, And Josh I believe my knee has improved and will completely recover.

I bought some trekking poles. They have been very beneficial. I can tell they take a lot of pressure off my knee. I also am using an elastic brace on my knee.  I am taking an Avele every 12 hours. I am also doing some stretches each morning and evening on both legs. My hope is within a month it will be back to 100% performance.

I got a good start, but quickly ran into an obstacle. As I entered Shenandoa National Park, SNP, I was required to have a permit. The self registration stand on the trail had been destroyed by a fallen tree. There was a sign telling me to go back and down the road to the entrance station, 3.5 miles. No way! The road and station was closed because the road had been blocked from a major ice storm that had occurred during the winter. I didn’t want to go back. I never want to go backwards. From my GPS app I was able to determine that the trail stayed close to the road and I might see it. It showed on the map, so I would know when I was straight off from it and could climb through the forest to go get the dang permit which was required. See picture. To make a long story short, I found the station, climbed down, found the permit, and got it. A couple days latter I came a gross a Ridge Runner, who is like a ranger for the trail. I was excited to show my permit after the work I went through to get it. She didn’t even want to see it. After all of that work I was deflated. I told her so.😢

Here are three new names I met:  Sideshow Bob. Danger Bob and T-Bird who are brothers from the Chicago area. They are staying at the shelter. T-Bird is having right leg problems. Think it is shin sprints.

PICTURES:  1. Quality Inn in Waynesboro, VA. Okay, but needs remodeling.
2. Entrance Stanton and hill I hiked down for permit.
3. Locking back at Waynesboro, VA. From AT.
4. Calf Mountain shelter.
5. Privy at Calf Mountain Shelter.

Sun. & Mon., April 14 & 15, 2019. Day 6&7/62&63. Waynesboro, VA. 38.0321N75.8586W. No hiking. 863.6 / 1,328.4 to go.

A good two full days resting my left knee. I am hopeful it will solve the pain. It was also a good reminder that I am on an enjoyably adventure and not fighting a battle. 

Sunday I went to church and listed to the General Conference Priesthood session. I also learned more about the hand operation that Seth will have Monday. 

While in town I bought trekking poles. Article says they take a lot of pressure off your knees. I sure hope so. They are a hassle to use, but I need them for my knee. I also bought a knee brace.

I did my laundry and relaxed. It was a good rest. I start out again on Tuesday. I will do only 7 to 8 miles.

No pictures of Waynesboro. I ate at a great restaurant, Green Leaf Grill. People are very nice. A nice little city.