If the world is cold, make it your business to build fires.
~Horace Traubel
Hike from Front Royal to Whiskey Hollow Shelter
AT miles: 14.9 miles
Ascent: 2893’
Descent: 2632’
Weather: warm, muggy, and partly sunny
Sightings: 3 black snakes and 1 ring-necked snake
High points: hiking with a companion
I have been off-trail for a wonderful reason — the wedding of my younger daughter!
But now I am back on trail. Today my wonderful husband drove me to Front Royal so I could head north on the AT. Since he needed to be back in Williamsburg by 11:00 am, we left at 4:30 am! And I was on the trail before 8!
I’m hiking with a woman I connected with through Facebook. Like me, she started out as a thruhiker, but after nearly 500 miles she decided she really wanted a hiking partner. Hiking can be lonely!
The trail today was quite varied — fields and woods.
We passed a new bridge, but you can see the stone foundation of an older bridge still supporting the new construction.
There are not many benches on the AT. In nearly 300 miles this is the second I have come across! We had a snack and a nice view from this one.
We walked under Route 66 and found a white blaze on one of the supports!
We saw 4 snakes today! Actually, I didn’t notice any of them until A pointed them out! (I think I wear snake-blinders!) This fellow struck a very dramatic pose, partly on the tree trunk and partly on the ground.
Tonight we are staying in a very elegant shelter— it has finished floors, a covered picnic table, and a firepit surrounded by another picnic table and multiple benches. Quite the luxurious place!
AT hikers rarely make fires. Fires take too much time and energy for thruhikers to deal with, but, much to my joy, one fellow did all the work and we had a lovely fire.
Since I have done no hiking whatsoever for over a week, my legs are tired tonight! I will sleep well.
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!
Glad you’re back on the trail!