Reporting from the heights of the Shenandoah Sunnies

The weather changed. After a week or more of rain and 100% humidity, the sun came out as I entered Shenandoah. I had vented, moaned, and processed my feelings. I took a day off. I made a plan. My spirit was lifted. The Virginia Blues were a thing of the past.

The perfect day again and again

I’ve been to Shenandoah before and was excited to revisit the scenic views and see so much more. Although there wasn’t any specific fanfare as I climbed the initial hill into the park, I felt lighter than I had the week before when my spirits and motivation were low. The humidity was manageable and the heat of the summer sun was mitigated by shady trails.

Here I feel closer to the sky and that makes me feel more spacious.

The trail here is also elegant. Small ups and downs and many flat areas. Every day I have covered more kilometers than my daily goal.

For several days the weather has been perfect, the trail quiet, and the audiobook fascinating. I picked up speed and am grateful for the bounty of the trail.

FarOut does not show dispersed camping sites

As a backcountry camper, you are allowed to disperse or stealth camp. There are certain stipulations, like how far from the road you have to be, but they are reasonable. The park encourages hikers to camp at already created sites, which makes sense with Leave No Trace guidelines. The thing is, FarOut, the mapping app we all use, doesn’t show these sites. So basically you have to walk until you find a place. Finding a good, level place to sleep hasn’t been a problem for me, but it was strange adjusting to walking without a specific destination as an end goal. I try to walk until 6:30 pm and then stop at the next tent site I find.

Neararopalooza

While hiking the first day or two in the park, other hikers started asking me if I was going to Nearopalooza. I had never heard of it, but it was at a campground I had planned to stop at, so I guess I was going!

I finished 17 miles and arrived at the campground where the event would be held at 3:30 pm (even at my slow pace!). They guided me to the place and I finally understood what was happening. Truck Stop offers food and beverages and several campsites so hikers can enjoy and relax. I had a beer and ate some bear meat (real!) that our host prepared and then walked to the camp store to do chores. After doing laundry, showering, and resupplying, I walked back to camp to enjoy the rest of the night. We ate and drank beers, talked and listened to music for hours. S’mores even happened!

In the morning, Truck Stop also provided breakfast. It was a pleasure to use the camp bathroom and faucet. Truck Stop was extremely generous and I had a great time shooting with other hikers.

Some of the easiest miles on the trail

I’m sipping coffee and eating pastries as I write this, at the resort, feeling like a boy prince, bathed in excess and comfort.

I know the trail will get tougher, with the rocks and elevation in the more northern states. But right now I’m walking miles easily during the beautiful days, enjoying the beginning of summer. My birthday and the two zeros I get are just around the corner.

I try to be present and grateful. Life is very good right now.

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