.September 1, 2006
Today's forcast: Heavy, heavy, rain all day.
With Tropical Storm Ernesto entering Virginia, I was tempted to take the day off.
Lynn said, "I know you. You can't just hang around the motel all day. I could do it, but you can't. You'll go nuts."
She was right and I would probably drive her nuts in the meantime. I had to at least get a few miles in. I decided to start on the southern end of Shenandoah National Park. From what I have read, the southern end of the park seems to have the least views. Also, there are plenty of bail out points when I have had enough. Lynn dropped me off at Rockfish Gap and took my picture as I stepped out into the driving rain.
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I headed north across the bridge over I-64.
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Entering Shenandoah National Park.
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Because I was fogged in, I didn't take many pictures today. I also didn't want to expose the camera to too much rain. I passed a sign for the Potomac ATC.
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The ATC oversees the whole 2,175 mile trail but individual trail clubs are responsible for their respective areas. They also create their own maps. So far I have liked the Potomac maps the best. Too bad I am almost done using them.
I was able to step out of the rain for a minute under this rock.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Over a stile
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I briefly met Lynn at McCormick Gap.
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Next I headed up to Bears Den Mountain. There were lots of Communications Towers at the top. Normally, I would think these were ugly but with the fog so thick, anything I could see was welcomed.
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These tractor seats provided an interesting place to sit. (From reading Runtrails journal I was expecting these.) They were all facing the fogged in view to the southwest. I think the idea behind them is to distract people from the ugly communications equipment.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Going through another stile.
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I met Lynn at Beagle Gap.
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I continued on another 2.5 miles. I saw no one today. I have seen deer every day in Virginia until today. Even the wildlife had enough sense to stay put, but not me. As I neared Jaman Gap, I had to take a .1 mile side trail to the Skyline Drive where Lynn was waiting for me. She is so patient going from stop to stop and finding ways to stay busy while being trapped in the car on this stormy day. I reached the car and told her I had reached my limit. After 8 miles in the pouring rain and severe winds I was no longer having fun. I never want to push getting extra miles in at the risk of not enjoying the trail.
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