Wherever you go...

.... you know the rest. Front Royal, VA, and only 50 miles to Harper's Ferry WV and 130 miles to the halfway point... yay!!!!

Thunderstorms are loud, wet, and very scary, as Roxi will surely attest... Fortunately for us, we escaped the latest deluge while under a porch at Big Meadows lodge in the middle of Shenandoah National Park. Despite leaky roofs, non-functional gutter systems, and a very concerned German Shepherd, we were thankful to not be in the woods at the time. Url let down marble-sized hail and enough wind and rain to blow many a tourists' tent away down the newly formed "Shenandoah Rapids," formerly known as Skyline Drive. While sitting on our bench, reading our books and sipping our tea, we watched many a not-so-happy hiker trudge by in soaked boots and torn rain gear. Though this time lucky, we know full well that, sooner or later, our karma will run out, and Url will remind us who is master of these woods.

Today is a scorcher: 90 degrees, enough humidity to swim to the post office, and no clouds in sight. Though smoothies and iced-chai cool our lips, only the AC of Weasel Creek Outfitters cools our brows. This evening, when the sun has left us to burn the other side of middle-earth, we will again start our slow march towards Mt. Doom (I mean, uh, Maine).

Good night all; may Url be kind towards your own endeavours.

~TrailDogs

(PS In case you were wondering, Tom Dooley just finished reading "Return of the King", so that kinda explains the "worldly" narrative above ;-)

(PPS Pooch, however, just finished reading a true tale of the improbable but amazing connection between humans and animals: "Modoc" tells of an elephant and his human companion in an adventure that spans seven decades and three continents. Author: Ralph Helfer. (Grammy, once Ben finished the book we'll mail it back to you)).

PPPS Huge thanks to TrailAngels Jebb and Chris for putting us up (or putting up with us, whichever you like) for a week and half while we rode rollercoasters and relaxed our feet!

Busch Gardens, Family, and Fun

Yes, we did in fact go to Busch Gardens for a day :-) We took Tattoo, a friend of ours and as you will recall the new owner of Erwin, the dog we rescued. The three of us spent a day riding coasters, laughing at some really silly Irish step dancing, and eating funnell cakes... good day. We were even some of the very first people on the brand new coaster "GRIFFON", scary as heck and lots of fun!

We have now been in Charlottesville, VA, for a week. We are staying with Ben's Aunt Jebb and Uncle Chris, who have, in fact, been way too kind to us. A week and a half ago while climbing atop a baking ridge, Pete decided that enough was enough; he was tired of walking behind two slow moving humans in the frying sun with a pack on his back. He would much rather be chasing balls and swimming in creeks, thank you very much! That evening Jebb and Chris drove down to Daleville and picked Pete up off of the trail. While certainly a tearful fearwell, we knew we would see him again as soon as we got to Charlottesville, and it was time for Pete to go home.

Of course, we thought that our dog troubles were over... wrong!! Only three days later, after spending a morning hitching into and out of Big Island VA (its an adventure, right?), Roxi came up lame. While not in any mortal peril, she certainly wasn't fit to hike the trail. Relying upon the kindness of strangers, we found an angel of sorts that gave the three of us a ride into the booming town of Buena Vista and the vet's office. After a few tense moments, Roxi was ordered to just stay off of her feet for a week. So, we called Jebb and Chris again, and this time we just went with them back to Charlottesville.

We have since been doing a lot of day hiking with out the dogs, we've gone to Busch Gardens, and Ben's parents came down to share some mountain time with us. Pete leaves for his New York home tomorrow morning, and Roxi is back to her knee smashing ways!

There are so many stories to tell, so many treasures that we have found along the trail, is is difficult to simply give an update of our progress without recalling each little adventure alond the way, trying to hitchike to watching our dogs try to cross narrow bridges with packs on. In future updates we'll try to recount more stories, more adventures of the trail, so keep in touch, and here are some pictures!!

Thanks for reading.

Mother's Day Special

Here are two pictures which were sent to David (Ben's dad) and I to be given to the respective mothers. McAfee Knob, VA

Mile 622.7

Hidey-ho!!

We woke up this morning planning on doing a 19-mile day; we are instead currently sitting in a nice warm library staying away from the rain ;-) Yes, even we like to escape sometimes!

Not too much to report on; we keep walking and trail continues to stretch out in front of us. If there is one reality of the life on the trail, it is just that: the trail. No matter where you are, you're on the trail.

Well, that's our profound moment for the day. Hoping all is well,

~TailDogs

PS ~220 miles to Busch Gardens!!!