With my wife gone to Ireland for nearly two weeks, I decided to head out to VA and re-hike the 108 miles on Shenandoah National Park (Rock Fish Gap to Front Royal (which is actually 4 miles past the end of 104 mile SNP)). I had originally considered doing the Benton MacKaye Trail this summer, but I knew it would have be broken up instead of 3 weeks straight, so instead I did the Foothills Trail and this instead. I had fond memories of the SNP with the waysides, showers, views, well maintained and relatively mild trail, so I thought this would be fun to do this again. Also interesting to be part of the bubble for a week.

Day 1 (6/9/22)
7.5 miles to Calf Mountain Shelter
Spent the previous night at Mountain Home hostel in Front Royal, which had a good breakfast. Tom Johnson's daughter Nina shuttled me to Rockfish Gap. She shared stories with me about her dad and his work leading the Patomac Appalachian Trail Conservancy (PATC) and creating thr Great Eastern Trail.

Had intended go much farther, but was still exhausted from getting only 2 hours sleep the night before dropping my wife off early at the Memphis airport and then on to the hostel (15 hours). One night's sleep was not enough to catch up. Was surprised by how many tents were already set up. Reminded me of Seth Waner the first shelter in VT, where along with AT hikers you also have all those just starting the Long Trail. Set up my tent in not the flattest of places. But woke up to seeing even more tents in the morning.

You can barely see the fawn by her mother (behind the fallen tree). When I tried to get closer for a better shot the fawn took off, unlike bears mom didn't care.

Day 1 (cont.)
I believe they painted the tractor seats since I passed here in 2015.
Regardless of color it was nice to take a break. Just hoped I was not getting cancer or something hanging around with all of the electricity, radio waves, or what ever.