Burning Daylight Outdoors: Waynesboro, VA to Byrd's Nest Hut

Sunday 6/18; Waynesboro, VA to Calf Mountain Shelter (mile )

So much for aqua blazing... The river remained too high for us to launch, so down the trail we walked. The day was uneventful, and we're at a nice shelter with a bunch of people in The Shennies, some we know and others we don't. We are excited to have seen Geo again. We meet her way back in Georgia and she was sectioning with a friend and we never thought we'd see her again. And randomly, she is sectioning with her daughters in the same location we are. It was pretty cool to see her and meet Sassafras and Luna (her daughters). They are very fun and it was nice to catch up!

Sunday 6/18; Calf Mountain Shelter to Blackrock Hut (mile )

We're officially in the Shennendoah Forest, which means that shelters are now called "huts." We got majorly rained on today, but we're the first in the shelter and are now drying out a bit. It's such a pain to get wet out here. Mostly because it's never just a body that's wet; it's a pack, a tent or shelter, friends, clothes (which have to be taken off for the night, and then put back on in the morning, usually still wet). We did have a new experience today--we road walked on Skyline Drive. Didn't cut a whole lot of miles, but did cut a bit of time! We found blueberries and blackberries, and they were super tasty! We're excited for Wayside number one tomorrow, which we're told often include blackberry milkshakes!

I'll be headed to Leesburg, VA tomorrow with Erik's Uncle Steve. I'll stay with him and Aunt Kathie tomorrow night, and they'll take me to the airport on Wednesday to meet my sister and Dad for an important few days. Erik will be blogging for the next days (I hope), so we'll keep up with the journal.

Monday 6/19 Black Rock Hut to Hightop Hut

It was great to see Uncle Steve, but it was sad to hike on without Sari. The hut was nice, but had quite a few mice. No damage to any gear just a good case of the crawling skin. The fireflys were very intense, it looked like a Disney movie.

Tuesday 6/20 Hightop Hut to Big Meadows Campground

My first 20 mile day!!! We road walked about 6 miles because in the Shennies the AT doesn't afford you the views that the road does. Big Meadows Wayside for dinner the fried chicken with mac and cheese was great and over 1000 calories. The blackberry ice cream there was much better than at the Lewis Mountain Wayside. The officer at the campground was nice enough to let us put all six tents on one site.

Wednesday 6/21 Big Meadows Campground to Byrd's Nest 3 Hut

Saw my 5th bear today! The hike was very nice today and short at only 14 miles.