Thursday, 12 June
Destination: David Lesser Memorial Shelter (1017.0)
Start Location: Bear’s Den Hostel (1005.8)
Today’s Miles: 11.2
Trip Miles: 85.7
I didn’t sleep great last night. Maybe it had something to do with the pint of chocolate ice cream after half a frozen pizza? It was a little warm in the hostel. The day started with coffee and make yourself pancakes. Bob and I planned an early start with the heat and miles planned. Seems to be stink but season and they made their way into the hostel.
Our first four miles completed the Roller Coaster. On the way to Raven Rocks we meet Chris, a retired anesthesiologist, and his daughter, Caroline, an OR nurse. We chatted about colleges and hiking gear. A little later we came across a bunch of turkey feathers, looks like a fox had a meal.
After the Roller Coaster the trail leveled out with only short rocky patches. A relief in the 86 degree heat. Bob and I arrived at David Lesser Memorial Shelter about 2:30. After setting up our tents it was a quarter mile downhill hike to the spring for much needed water. The spring was nice and cold with a good flow. We drank water, filtered more water for tonight and brought back water to filter for tomorrow. It does not look like there is any water before we arrive in Harpers Ferry tomorrow.
As Bob and I were eating dinner, freeze dried beef stew and teriyaki chicken, a doe wandered over by our tents.
There was another camper when we arrived at the shelter. He came back from the spring and sat at the picnic table. When we asked which direction he was hiking, he told us “whatever direction God sends him in”. He then went on to tell us that he only filters his water when God tells him to. Next he started reading from the Bible. Bob politely told him that we were not interested and he was offended and went over to his tent. That was today’s excitement.
Our food is in the most unusual bear box tonight. It is a heavy duty tool box mounted between two posts about three feet high at a little kiosk. Still easier than finding a tree to hang our food.
Tomorrow we hope to arrive in Harpers Ferry about noon. My truck is parked there. We will wash off a little and put on some clean clothes. Probably a stop for lunch on the way to Bob’s car at Penn Mar Park and then home to much missed wives, hot showers, air conditioning and real food.