.... 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!
2 comments:
Good to get an up-date. Was beginning to wonder how you were doing. Hot and humid here in New Jersey. Heading for Wayne County and the Equinunk for the week-end. The weather looks about the same there - was hoping to cool off a bit. Keep us posted and happy hiking.
Jasper
Pete is happy to have a basement to hide in during the thunderboomers. I suspect basements are hard to find on the AT. He'd of found one though (or dug his own.)
The lawn was happy to get rain finally. No hail here but some interesting lightning displays.
#18 for Duncannon, PA will be going in the mail tomorrow. (What happened to May?)
Nickel
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