We are getting so close to finishing this little jaunt. I woke up at 6am and Norman was up too. I must have rolled over too many times last night because poor little monkey was on the floor. Sorry Norman. He’s safer sleeping in the tent! No long drop offs, but at least he landed square on my mat.

My ride arrived at 7am. South Star picked me up and took me to breakfast. We ate at Cracker Barrel which is a big deal on the East Coast. They finally made it out West, a few years ago. I ordered eggs, bacon and pancakes, and a cup of tea. After breakfast South Star took me back to the trail.

Oh my, this backpack of mine weighs too much! I have five days of food and many snacks to keep me going. I seem to be so hungry these days. It would be interesting to figure out how many calories I’m consuming and how many I’m burning. I think the burn is ahead. I never seem to be full. Enjoy it while I can, because endless eating must stop really soon.

I hiked off into the forest and was ready to start climbing. A few of the hikers from Stanimals mentioned a Blue Trail called Mau-Har Trail. It bisects the AT and passes a few waterfalls. When I arrived at the trailhead, there was a couple who were coming back from Mau-Har. Because there hasn’t been any significant rain, the waterfalls were not flowing. That sealed the deal. I’ll climb, check out the views and stay on the Appalachian Trail. And I’m so glad I did.

The climb was steep with great views up the Three Ridges. There were rock ledges that I’m so familiar with. About halfway, I turned to the right and had a view of the entire Shenandoah Valley below. I stopped and talked to the locals. There were a few vineyards or hop growing fields that were the size of Napa Wineries. They told me wine is produced here but homegrown breweries are big business. It’s hard to tell from up here, but whatever it was, hops or grapes, it was quite the production.

I continued up Three Ridges and made it to the top. There was a bit of a view north but mostly overgrown with trees blocking the vista. There were a few dispersed camping sites so I had lunch. Salami and Triscuits, leftovers from the Shenandoah’s. Once again, I was the solo hiker on the beginning of Labor Day Weekend. Maybe people will start showing up.

I headed down off Three Ridges and the rocks and boulders were back. Darn it anyhow. I was hoping I could put that in the rear view mirror. No such luck. I slid down one rock and another without much fanfare. Thank goodness. But then, I have no idea what happened, but I somehow stepped off the trail and rolled down 10’ in a bunch of poison Ivy. You’ve got to be kidding me? Nope, that’s the honest to Gods truth! I am super sensitive to Poison Oak so I can only imagine what this is going to do to me.

There was a Shelter about three miles down the trail with water. I headed down there and dropped my pack. I immediately started washing my legs, arms and face off with my trusty bandana. It felt so good, and I’m praying that the evil twin sister of Poison Oak, Ivy, is much less toxic and I won’t turn into a big red weeping rash! I started thinking what else I could do?

I opened my app and found a shuttle driver nearby and considered calling for a ride to town so I could bathe properly. No answer so I texted him. Then my phone service went to SOS mode. That’s what happens when I don’t have T-Mobile or any other carrier that they share towers with. I kept my phone on in case my service came back on. Within a couple of hours, I had service again.

Derrick, the Shuttle Driver, called me and left a text. He could pick me up or have his associate, at Montebello Country Store. Super! All I need to do is climb 3000’ over Priest to Spy Rock. This is put my head down and climb. It was the steepest climb this side of New Hampshire and Vermont. I had no choice so up and over I went.

Once I arrived at Spy Rock Road, it’s a closed forest service road. My driver can’t access this so I walked down 1.9 bonus miles to Montebello Store. I barely made it in time. The store closes at 6pm and I arrived at 5:58pm. I grabbed some Iced Tea and Good & Plenty. It’s one of my favorite candies and hard to find these days.

Dennis showed up within minutes. He helps Derrick with shuttles. Dennis is a retired State Trooper so we had much to talk about. He recommended heading to Lexington rather than Buena Vista. I’m all ears. I don’t know the area so you tell me. There’s a Walmart and tons of Hotels. Perfect, sounds like a hiker friendly place. He stopped at Walmart so I could purchase all my Poison Ivy potions and ointments, and then took me to the Hotel across the street.

This is NOT what I was planning to do. But it’s what I need to do, if I want to keep from breaking out in a full-body rash. So here I am with a little over 100 miles to go sitting in a Hotel. I calculated my distance and being I’ve put in extra miles in the Shenandoah’s, I’m still on track. All I need to do is continue 15 miles a day. So that’s what happened today, one calculated risk after another! Thank you Lord for softening my fall and helping me find my way to cleanse and renew myself. There’s always a way through, with you.