Journal 118-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!

Posted on June 17, 2021 by nimblewillnomad

Thursday–June 17, 2021
Trail Day–118
Trail Mile–-14.4/1,297.3
Location–Wildcat Ridge Parking, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, then to Wyndham Resorts Days Inn, Waynesboro, AT Mile 878.7

Still had the alarm set for five this morning. The drive to get me on trail now takes only minutes rather than an hour-plus, but it’s nice to have a bit of leisure time in the morning, so we’ve stuck with five. A great cup of coffee, so why not two? A healthy helping of oatmeal and I’m good. Safari has me back to I-64 overpass where I ended my hike yesterday. Steady Eddie’s wife, Tracy, has come to support him for a few days and drops him off. He’ll resume his hike here too.

A permit is required for hikers entering Shenandoah National Park. There’s a sign-in register a short way into the Park and I stop and fill in a form. There’s no charge for the permit.

I’d figured on slow going to start the day, more rocks and boulders. I had that right. A couple miles and the trail moves past the cobby sidehill and settles into more friendly tread.

The trail crosses Skyline Drive at Beagle Gap in a lovely meadow, about halfway for the day. Safari comes up and brings me lunch and a chilled-down Gatorade–and we lounge in the shade of an old oak. Thanks Safari!

The remainder of the day is spent in total enjoyment hiking the groomed and manicured trail. At Wildcat Ridge the trail crosses Skyline Drive. From there it’s a couple-tenths by trail (or road) to the parking area at Wildcat Ridge. I’m still working on renewing my delinquent hiker trash membership, so I hike Skyline Drive, the roadway up to parking.

Back to Days Inn, and after a good hot soaking in the bathtub to sooth my creaking old bones, Safari drives us to downtown Waynesboro for supper, local family-owned Wheezie’s Kitchen. And last, a quick drive through Wendy’s for their chocolate frost–to cap a perfect day!

O gift of God! O perfect day:
Whereon shall no man work, but play;
Whereon it is enough for me,
Not to be doing, but to be!
(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)

Category: UncategorizedTags: Appalachian Mountain, bamatobaxter, Benton MacKaye, cheaha, flagg, nimblewillnomad, odyssey2021, Pinhoti

7 Comments on “Journal 118-ODYSSEY 2021: Bama to Baxter-Hike On!”

carlapicks
June 20, 2021

Is there any way a friend and I could try to meet you to shake your hand and bring you Trail
Magic this week if you are still in SNP?

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carlapicks
June 20, 2021

Is there any way a friend and I could meet you to shake your hand and give you Trail Magic if you will still be in SNP this week?

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Nancy J Ludlow
June 20, 2021

Love that Longfellow!!

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Curt Bassett
June 19, 2021

ps, I think you know you are hiking some of the best of the AT right now!

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Curt Bassett
June 19, 2021

I hiked the AT for ten years with two of my best friends from college days (more than 50 years ago) and this is like repeating many of the wonderful experiences and without the stress. Great narrative and pictures.
Many thanks and be safe.
Curt aka Eagle Trekker

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Cam and Romel
June 19, 2021

You are very inspiring! Just a heads up: We ate at Wendy’s yesterday also and had the potato with butter and sour cream. The chocolate dairy dessert used to be my dad‘s favorite. But here’s the kicker: did you know that you can get a free frosty at Wendy’s if you show them your vaccination proof card! LOL!!!!!! That’s if you’re into vaccinations. I’m glad your not wearing a mask. I think going hiking on the Appalachian Trail is vaccination enough against busy civilized nonsense! Waiting for my NWN shirt. Hike On! Headed for camping at Belden on the PCT next week. Possibly climbing Lassen Peak.

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Marlene Simpson
June 19, 2021

Oh, Nimble Will I can see your focus on life, “To be”.
Even in all your doing❣️🙂 Great photos, beautiful wild flowers, and those berries look about ripe.
God bless you and keep you safe❣️🙂

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