Swimming yesterday really burned my eyes, way red eye.
Plan was to drive into GWNF to camp. Drove out rt 33 but no side road into forest. Picked first road to North & wandered N & W hopefully into the forest. Found FS road leading to ATV TH 6 miles away. Narrow snakey dirt road. Encountered 2 trucks pulling ATV trailers heading down & no place to pull ove. I backed down to wide spot. Drove up a bit further, found wide spot on wide out corner for camp. Hung out there. Walked about 45 mins up gaining 700′, turned around as it was getting dark & cold. Several rigs pasted going up hill into dark, probably setting up for first light deer hunt.
wOODS APPEARS TO BE DEVOID OF DEER. Even after dark several rigs went by my camp. Bare trees. Never drove to TH, didn’t need to push on a poor road.
Slept w/ heater on low. Comfortable.
Need to be @ Shen Dao Clinic for my seesion @ 9:00.
Headed out. Stoped @ RV store to buy a h2o filter as light for replacement was flashing. I read the instructions and they said it could be the battery also. I changed it and saved buying a filter.
At clinic Amara worked me over. SAhe stuck several needles in, small as htey were, they still caused me discomfort. Leg problem appears to be the classic un flexibility in iliotibial & hamstring muscles. Back on the foam roll.
Stopped @ SBC to say thanks & goodbye. Spoke w/ Tim & Thomas & headed out.
Plan is to drive the Skyline Drive North. Bare trees. Drove 15 miles to Big Meadow to only open XG.
Cold & snow flurries, I can’t imagine tent camping. I’m hunkered down w/ the heater turned on high & I’m not overly toasty. Glass conducts the heat. XM radio, internet access, & comfort.
Oh, been drinking the Virginia Whiskey, not a moonshine, but a 3 grain double distilled, soaked in cherry & oak chips, & aged 2 years. OK taste to drink neat. Cheaper than Scotch. Am I just seeking an alcohol buzz itself? This taste thing is posing? Monarch Vodka soon?
The Appalachian Trail (AT) shares the Skyline ridge. I walked S on it in the snow flurries. Trail is rocky hard walking rocky. A few other campsites occupied. $18 for a camp site and a 5 min shower.
Short walk in park at dark: deer all but make me kick them out of my way.
Plan is to finish the Drive , head over into WV, & up to Heath, OH on Wed.
I hope the leg heals up soon so you can get back on the trails. Does the Springer have 4 wheel or All Wheel drive? I’m thinking it might come in handy with winter weather on the way. By the way, I saw two Sprinters nearly identical to yours in color in a 24 hr period last week. One was at TCS, a guest I believe. I can’t remember noticing that type of vehicle anytime before. Maybe I’m just becoming more aware since seeing/hearing of yours. Must be nice to be able to enjoy all the ‘creature comforts’ in your auto. Will you be heading south soon?
I am enjoying your blog Craig,
As far as the Whiskey goes, I think at this point the Buzz will suffice. Question: Is Monarch Vodka that much different? Be safe and good travels.
Mike
Mike, actually the whiskey is enjoyable but I said that. I think of Monarch as right there with Potters if you have a hankering for a cheap buzz.