Shenandoah Shenanigans

Hard to believe it’s been almost two weeks and 200 miles since we last provided an update but as of today we officially COMPLETED the 500+ AT miles in Virginia and crossed into Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. It’s a little bittersweet leaving VA. We traversed nostalgic old familiar places but also explored new ones and when we last updated, we were entering Shenandoah National Park, affectionately known as “the Shennys”.

VA had been relatively void of any trail magic. We were surprised that Sunday with TWO! Carmel’s good karma?? And at one of the stops, Peeta was reunited with her camp spoon that had been left at a campsite prior to Waynesboro but was heroically rescued by a fellow hiker, Grouse, who found it the next day. Everyone on trail knows the importance of your camp spoon! Lucky break for Peeta!

The Shennys were a mix of rock scrambles, hills, wild and groomed trails all paralleling Skyline Drive. Several miles in to a hike we would hit a wayside or cross to the other side of the highway. Deer were plentiful throughout the park and seemed pretty tame.

Surprises continued and on our third day we had trail magic once again! This time from a previous through hiker named Detox who was meeting up with his uncle (Ranger) on the trail for a few days. Katniss’s excitement could not be contained! You just never know the sheer happiness a bagel and bug juice can inspire.

And believe it or not…fueled by bagels and donuts we completed the next two miles to reach 900!! Along the way, trail madness or the sillies can set in…while Peeta is usually the target, Katniss has her weak moments too.

We lived large in the park too. Our first big stop was at a wayside for burgers and a blackberry milkshake! We also got wind of an opportunity to slack pack. Slack packing is hiking with only a light day pack while heavier items are transported up trail. Katniss and Peeta teamed up with “Tater”and stayed at the Meadows Lodge for an evening, gearing up for a 20 mile slack pack the following day.

Despite the amount of climbing, the views were few and far between. To add insult to injury, the valley had become obscured by the smoke from the Canadian fires.

Finishing our 20 mile first slack pack with Tater and Poppa Bear we ended the day at Open Arms Hostel. Our host Alison was so welcoming, and Katniss clearly enjoyed hanging out with the many friendly animals that greeted us. There’s no greater reward than food after a long hike, so we all headed into town for a giant Italian dinner. The hiker belly is real! Alison then bumped our items up to Mountain Home hostel to open up another slack pack opportunity of 28 miles…our longest day yet!

It’s hard to describe how light and “fast” you feel after hiking with a lightened load. The miles come more easily and the pace is quickened. Katniss and Peeta decided to go forward with the back to back slack pack mileage but Tater and Poppa Bear declined. Instead, we were joined by Quiet Riot, Care Bear and Ranger…three military veterans! If this actually was the Hunger Games we were in good shape.

The hike went surprisingly well thanks to great company and conversation along the way. To add to the adventure, Katniss spotted a “mountain lion” which apparently don’t live in VA. They are like Sasquatch and no one ever seems to get the photo. After her sighting, everyone was curious but on the alert. Then he showed up again, this time crossing in front of Quiet Riot. He motioned and he and Katniss were in pursuit. There is photo evidence, some say it’s a bobcat, but you be the judge.

We were blessed with soft rolling trail for the majority of the hike save the last few miles. But the reward was fresh wild raspberries and an old growth forest that seemed to dwarf us in size. And with that 28 miles we officially exited the Shennys.

The final stint in VA included the rollercoaster, literally 10 miles of PUDS…”pointless ups and downs”. Not only are they pointless, but they are steep and tightly spaced together. About halfway through that roller coaster of PUDS the 1000th mile was reached!! Of course on an uphill climb. 😤

A few more miles and there she was!! The Shenandoah River merging with the Potomac. We are now so excited to be in Harpers Ferry. Famous for John Brown’s raid on the Harpers Ferry Armory during the Civil War this is also home to the famous Appalachian Trail Conservancy. All thru hikers get their iconic photo at the ATC headquarters which used to be the halfway point for a thru hike. Katniss and Peeta initially registering as 1390 and 1391 hikers in Springer Mt. GA and are now logged as hikers 660 and 661 reaching Harpers Ferry. Feels great!!

Shenandoah Park was tame but beautiful and Spring has been in full swing with buds giving way to fruits and berries and flowers permeating the warm air with their sweetness. There’s not a day where you don’t experience the honeysuckle or wild roses filling the air with their intoxicating aromas. And babies are starting to appear everywhere, especially the baby birds who scream out hungrily every morning to be fed…our new alarm clock.

But our trail friends have been the best! Some new and some old all of whom continue to make this journey an incredible experience.

There’s excitement in the air today too as an incredible feat is yet to be undertaken. But you’ll have to stay tuned for the next blog post…😉. Until then my friends, may the odds be forever in your favor!