"Glamping", aka "Glamour Camping": A style of camping with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services not usually associated with "traditional" camping. (Wikipedia)
Black Rocks summit
We haven't actually been glamping, but Shenandoah National Park did offer us some delightful and unexpected treats. Throughout the park, the AT parallels Skyline Drive, a winding scenic roadway. (Someone told us that the road replaced the original AT, but I haven't been able to verify this.) As hikers, we crossed Skyline Drive in several places and thus intersected two or three large campgrounds equipped with camp stores and wayside diners. What luxury! Not only did we relish extra Snickers bars and an occasional cooked meal, but the camp stores meant that we were able to carry less food and enjoy lighter packs. Very nice :-)
The ability to resupply at the camp stores also meant that we could spend a continuous eight days hiking without coming off trail. It was great for our progress - we logged our highest mileage week yet - but certainly reinforced the filthiness of our endeavor. We were unintentionally in the heart of Shenandoah National Park during Memorial Day weekend, and day hikers flooded the trails. We probably freaked out a few groups as we inhaled deeply to enjoy their aura of shampoo and deodorant. I don't imagine that they enjoyed our passing stench quite so much. Neither our hygiene or appearance were improved by the wet, muggy weather. Visualize sweaty streaks of mud all over :-p
Much of our Shenandoah experience was characterized by misty foggy weather
By the end of our Shenandoah trek we were more than ready for a break. Fortunately, we had two amazing visits to look forward to...with Shiz's former coworker Imran, and with my sister-in-law's family, Jan and Russ. We hadn't realized how much we'd missed being in a real house. Sinking into a couch was true luxury after perching on rocks and logs for three months. And home cooked meals - words cannot describe! Suffice to say, this is the best we've eaten since March and we're so grateful to our hosts.
While with Jan and Russ, we visited Harpers Ferry, the unofficial halfway mark of the AT and home to AT headquarters. (The official halfway point varies each year to reflect updates in property boundaries, landowner permissions, and natural changes. This year it's actually 60-ish miles beyond Harpers Ferry.) We very much enjoyed exploring the town, and it was easy to imagine how it might have looked in civil war times. Well worth a visit.
We leave Jan and Russ's early tomorrow for a long stretch that will take us through the 12 miles of West Virginia, 40 miles of Maryland, and into Pennsylvania. Reaching PA is a big deal for me. I think of that state as being solidly in the north, and getting there feels like confirmation that we're truly making progress towards home.
Oh, and we saw a bear! Two of them, a mama and a cub, on Memorial Day. No pictures because we were too busy standing still and staring.
- Sweet Pea
Google album link: https://goo.gl/photos/yVaQgu5Xce88YoVb8
Banishing the black storm clouds
Leaving Shenandoah National Park
A beautiful night and a beautiful camp spot on our way to Harpers Ferry. Shiz has included a video of this site in the Google album.
We passed the 1000 mile mark!!!!!