Day 85: The hug of our mother

• Jim and Molly Denton Shelter (977.6) for Hollow Shelter whiskey (987.6)
• 2310 feet rise, 2383 feet

Through hiking is an intensely personal experience. It is also a shared experience since each of us stepped on the same hills, on the same rocks, under the same rain, under the same sky. Alone, but with the instantaneous camaraderie, the path hugs us all like a mother.

It can be after a footprint, we open up through geography, history and legends that make the path what it is. There is no step at that time alone. Each step has a past, present and future that belongs to the individual who does it, but is colored by all the other footprints that have arrived.

The battle of Manassas / Bull Run

This morning we pass the region in which the Battle of the Civil War of the United States of Manassas–Known for the United States Army as Bull Run, it took place on June 21, 1861.

Locsl’s nobility, including the nearly Washington DC, came out in carriages with picnic lunches to witness this first important battle of the «war between THD states.»

The bloody and prolonged battle sent tourists to flee as horror and forced both the armies of the North and to the south to face the importance of war.

Under pressure to finish the war in 90 days, President Abaraham Lincoln had sent Bergantin. General Irvin McDowell, the Commander of the Army of the Union of the Northeast of Virginia (28,450 MEM) to confront the brig. General PGT Beauregard 32,000 strong strong rebel forces.

The Confederate Army flanked the Army of the Union. The center of the Union fell shortly after, which led to a retirement to Centerville, goes and, ultimately, to Washington, DC, after the loss, McDowell was relieved of duty and replaced by Major General George B. McClellan.

Part of the problems faced by armies effectively moved to the inexperienced troops to the position. The path today reminded us how difficult it must have been to move through the land of the region.

Lunch in Manassas Gap Shelter

After a morning to walk gloomy, in memory of the tragic impact of slavery and civil war, we arrived at the Manassas gap shelter.

Located 5.5 miles from the denton shelter, Manassas Gap Shelter is one of the oldest on the path. It is only 33 miles from the Manassas / Bull Run battlefield, near the Creek Manassas headwaters. It was built by the CCC in 1933 and restored in the 1980s.

Being an old shelter, it is in moderate repair. Ants were the most notable feature. Perhaps the old trunks of the structure were tasty for large black forest ants.

We applied some insect spray and ate our lunch. Then the historian took a brief nap while I worked on the blog.

Newly trimmed path

Refreshing for the afternoon walk, we put ourselves in search of Whiskey Hollow Shelter. We had heard very good things about this new shelter, although it is half a mile of the route.

The path was clearly newly trimmed. Having walked through the green vegetation glove during many miles during the procedure days, we especially appreciate the effort.

For our delight, we soon listen to the roar of path maintenance equipment. We were anxious for thanking maintainers in person. After walking through his effort the last two hours, we felt that we were approaching the old friends.

When we approach, we call out loud: «Hello!» Like a bear, people who transport cutting machines do not work well.

Soon we met and we could thank Bill and Janet of the Potomic Apalachian Trail Club, the couple who was caregiver of the Whiskey Hollow Shelter and the surrounding path. He took them all day to clear the section in which we entered less than 3 hours. A great effort on behalf of the path and we, as hikers!

Hollow Shelter whiskey

After another hour of hiking, we arrive at the reflection for the shelter. It was a rock downhill path and somewhat steep. They reminded us that we would have to walk in the morning. However, the land signaled us, making us feel welcome to our house at night.

The shelter and store sites extended along an old road and a newer path.

When we finally achieved the shelter, its design impressed us. A two -story matter was deep enough to sleep two rows of hikers below and a row above. In bad weather, I think it could have been the potentially curled shelter we have seen.

The cover cover was pleasant, although the great picnic table occupied most of the real estate. Combine that with package explosions and was a bit tight of maneuvering.

To move, people bordered the roof walking on the banks that surrounded it. I was cooking dinner when I noticed the historian standing at the bank and took the photo to remind us of the moment.

Call me partial after 50 years of marriage, but I was quite impressed by the muscles of his 76 -year -old legs. I guess I know where all the calories are eating.

Prepare

The shelter tonight was full of older hikers. I was growing late, overcoming at night, at 7 pm. People turned from one place to another between the creation of sleep systems and dinner. As we are two of us, we generally divide the tasks. The hikers solo generally Herven their water for dinner, pour it into their dinner package and then confirm their beds in the waiting time of 10 minutes in most hiking dinners.

Our dinner tonight was Farro, ground turkey and green beans.

Good night to all

After dinner, the private was visited, the teeth were brushed and the bear bags were hung. Each of us got into our sleep systems and settled long before midnight from the hiker.

The family sound of the air mattress of the fries was heard in the shelter. A group of older people who have spent weeks dragging our lives on our backs, the hill above and descent are not easily established.

Someone began to laugh. Soon, we were all wading and laughing, trying to find a position to accommodate shoulders, backs, knees, ankles and feet.

Someone’s belly complained. Someone was a little windy. A handkerchief escaped. We all feel the camaraderie of belonging. Soon, even the most insomnia of us was to snore strong enough to irritate other refuge partners.

Tonight, it was not irritating. We all belong wrapped in the love hug of our mother path