A.T. Map, NoVA, WV, MD, PA
J: In Paul C. Wolfe Shelter for the night. Raining, but warm. Wrongway, Sweet Mags and Shirt made it with me. Shirt and I would have gone on but the rain came just as we made the shelter. So we made dinner instead.
Came ouf of Maupin Field late - lazed around there reading and writing until 11:30, then hit trail. Ran into Shirt and First Aid at the Three Ridges overlook on BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway). I waited for them at Cedar Cliff. Got bored and moved on to Dripping Rock parking lot. Shirt's map indicated a visitors center just N on the road. Walked for 1.5 mi - picnic area with running water but no center. Lunch and an hour nap. Walked back to trail. Up to Humpback Rocks parking area. No Shirt, but rain in the works.
Headed N on trail. Ran into Packrat, Jack-in-the-Green, and met Earth Frog slacking south. They had had a rough day - got turned around and repeated 5 miles from Rockfish Gap twice. They found a relo accidentally - bummer. Just then, Shirt came down the hill. First Aid was off the trail - his pack weight and feet conspired to take him off trail early. Shirt and I motored to the shelter where we found Sweet Mags and Bud. Shirt mentioned Wrongway was not far back. Haven't seen Wrongway since April. Wow! So now a gentle steady rain comes down.
I shaved at the Priest S. - the pact with the rain gods - so I guess it's expected. No more shaving for the rest of Virginia. Wrote college roomie Rich and his wife, J, today, along with Shep, Greg K.
On to Waynesboro tomorrow - hopefully call Drew and Beryl if they're home. Maybe catch them at Rt 33 for a food drop. Waynesboro has a fire department that is hiker-friendly. I can't imagine a 2 a.m. fire alarm would be all THAT friendly, but hey - they try. A shower and laundry would be really nice. I don't mind feeling grungy, but it's a treat to feel clean. In the morning, I walk out of here and into Northern Virginia. Oh yeah - got a register finally. And IT'S RIGHT HERE! Hurray!
M=13.1; C=827.3