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.
Will you be near Front Royal? I have Fam there. What about Harper’s Ferry WV?
I’ll be staying at a hostel on the AT near Front Royal, and hoping they’ll shuttle me into town. I made notes a while back to hit Spelunker’s, Vibrissa, and Honey & Hops… And the trail goes right through Harper’s Ferry, but it’s possible I’ll be racing through doing the 4 State Challenge where you start in VA and complete Wv and MD and end in PA all in one day. 😬
If the Shenandoahs don’t show you rainbows and deer, you can ask for a refund. Seems like you are having so much fun!!
Plenty of bushy tailed deer here, but no rainbows yet. I’ll hike at least 4 more days before asking for that refund. Tomorrow’s rain showers might help with that!
Give me a heads up when you’re nearing Pine Grove Furnace, PA (halfway point). I hope it’s not the end of April though (conflict). Otherwise, I’ll head down and work remotely and connect with you!
Half-gallon ice cream challenge, baby, yeah! I should be going through there circa 4/12. But the general store looks like they don’t open until 4/26. :_-(
No doubting the strong Lipchak gene 🧬 pool – “Uncle David” a dead ringer of his brother Michael and nephew Paul both of whom I had the privilege of meeting for the first time last year Vermont June 2024 👋
Leaps and bounds Benj – 864.6 miles – onward ever onward🏃🏃🏃