For those following along at home, you can update your maps to place Luscious at Rockfish Gap, mile 864.6, next to Waynesboro, VA, gateway to the Shenandoahs. I have about one more week before I’m done with this beautiful state. I can’t imagine they get better than this. (They certainly don’t get longer than this!) I sure will miss it.
Right now I’m sitting at Happ Coffee in an old converted factory building. It totally has the Tatnuck Booksellers vibe. (IYKYK.) When they close in half an hour, I can just walk around to the other side which is a brewpub. Twist my arm, Waynesboro! I was granted a free zero day here courtesy of …wildfire?
Uncle David, Aunt Rebecca, and canine cousin Ezra (💔) drove 3 hours to visit me at Devils Backbone Basecamp yesterday. (They must really love beer?) We had so much fun catching up and approximating a game of cornhole.
I stayed over for free the night before at DBB’s Tent City, featuring a heated bath house with showers and electrical outlets. Also, the beer wasn’t too shabby!
After our leisurely lunch and impaired bean bag tossing, my family dropped me off back on the trail at Reid’s Gap, where I soon received the ATC’s broadcast to all registered thru-hikers up and down the 2200 mile trail. One little 13 mile section of the AT was closed due to a wildfire jumping its containment perimeter. And I happened to be 2 hours from reaching that closed section, where I planned to camp last night and hike through all day today. So I guess I win? A day early into Waynesboro, a buy-one get-one special at Kline’s Dairy Bar, a coffee shop sort of afternoon, and a couple Benj Beers on tap as reward for finally updating this blog. 🍻
For once I’m truly wishing for rain. I hope nature, the people who live near it, and the firefighters protecting it all catch a break, and things get good and wet to reduce the danger for all those at risk during this dry spell in the southeast. It’s warm enough out that it could rain my entire way through the Shennies and I’ll just look up and laugh. I want to leave you on good terms, Virginia.