Kanawha Trail Club

Mustang Sally July 9, 2008

Hello everyone: 

I’m at Super 8 in Front Royal, Va.  Got in yesterday in the late am with a free ride from a friendly gentleman to the post office here.  Got my bounce box with town clothes and my mail drop (food) box with a letter (card) from the KY family.  Gave my food box to a gentleman I hike with in the Shenandoah as he is short on money but a nice/friendly person.

Shenandoah National Park is not a walk in the park.  Like most of the trail is has ROCKS of all sizes just waiting to get you.  It was beautiful.  The most wonderful thing about the park for us hikers however, were the WAYSIDES, which are restaurants.  The park has 4 or 5 of these off the AT trail, mostly 2/3 miles walk off the trail.  Us hikers will walk a way to get food (real food that is not hiker food).  The blackberry milkshake lived up to its reputation. In all I had about 3 of them during the park hike. 

Currently I’m in Front Royal, VA which is an old town with (remember I’m a history major) a civil war record.  It has really got a nice downtown area and the buildings are brick and of course OLD.  Going to spend one more day here (at a cheaper hotel)and go to the outfitters and try to get a ride lined up for tomorrow to Harper Ferry’s. 

Will be getting off the trail for about 10 days as I’m going home to surprise my daughter who will be coming home from Spain.    

I will and use Greyhound to get back to DC.  Then will continue on Greyhound up to Maine(Bangor) and get local bus service to Millinocket Maine which is the closest town. 

I will really miss my hiking partners.  Hope I can find others when I start hiking in Maine. 

Health wise I’m doing good.  The knees are sore and a little stiff in the am but they still work (SMILE). 

Thanks for all the e-mails and the support.  Love to hear from all of you. 

Take care and hopefully will see some of you while I’m at home. 

Me:  Mustang Sally