Front Royal VA 950 miles

Hi Everyone

Just a quick post to let you know we survived Shenendoah National Park. We saw two more rattle snakes and 6 plus bears. I say plus bears because we saw a sow about 10 yards off the trail and after she grunted a few times I saw at least one cub go up a tree, but, she was too close to get a good picture, she may have been grunting at me.

We were not as impressed with this park as we were with the Smokey Mtn National Park. We have really lost the views and the scenery just was not that great. We had one day where we walked a ridge that was pretty good, but, other then that it was just so, so. We also followed the Blue Ridge Parkway a little more than I wanted to. You never actually walk on the road, but, we the trail follows the park a little too closely for our liking. And of course you still go up and down and there were plenty of rocks.

We did not zero in Waynesboro and spent 6 nights in the park. By not taking a day off in town we caught up with a huge group of hikers and had a good time each night with these folks. We camped or stayed at shelters and camped each night and even drank a few beers together at one of the campgrounds.

When we came out of the woods yesterday we walked up on the road and were going to hitch into town about 4 miles. We had waited almost 2 minutes when a car pulled that was coming from town and asked if we would like to stay with them. A couple we had met got out of the car and told us they had stayed with Tom and Sharon Johnson the night before. Tom is a past president of Potomic Mtn Hiking Club and very active with hiking in the area. They live in a gated community and have turned the upstairs of their garage into a place for hikers to stay. It is complet with TV couch, and bath. It is very new and very nice. They have a beautiful home and are very well traveled.

Anyway they picked us up and first stop was the grocery to resupply and they home to shower, and eat lunch. While we were eating lunch we got blasted with a storm that knocked out the power. Power is still out this morning so I am posting this from an Outfitters store downtown.

We had decided to take the day off anyway and it sure is relaxing to have someone drive you around. We are going to run over to Thomas Jefferson's Home in Montichello as soon as I am done here.

We will be in Harpers Ferry Sunday night or monday and may take another day off to do a little touring. Hopefully I can post a few more pictures then.

Take care for now.

Red Dog and Lucky Dog