Hitch Hiking...nah I would just prefer to walk

I arrived in Front Royal, VA today about 10am. Me and Noah-John managed to walk the entire Shenandoah National Park (about 100 miles) in under 96hrs. We tried to hitch-hike the 4.5 miles into town but no one was feeling friendly to the two criminal looking folks carrying backpacks. We hoofed or shooed it into town where we are now. I'm actually doing laundry in anticipation of leaving tomorrow after buying a new set of shoes. Apparently they wear out. Who would have thought. We anticipate 2 days to cover the 52 miles to Harper's Ferry, WV. That will make me at the unofficial halfway point and headquarters of the ATC who maintains the trial. So if you feel so inclined on Thursday night have one of your favorite beverages to my health.

The park was like Disney Land for hikers. One of the days I ate in restaurants for every meal (albeit Aramark price gouging it was interesting) and I shall call that day of hiking "Gluttony." I saw a momma bear and cub last night and managed to get some really good photos of them with relatively little danger to myself.

I have been thinking and talking with Noah-John on the topic of our friends and family that want to hike with us on the AT for awhile. I suspect the best option for this would be to summit Khatahdin with me in August. I don't want to discourage people from hiking with me but I know the conditioning it takes to get to the 20-30 miles per day I am currently doing and even if I slowed way down the remaining parts of the AT (VT/NH/ME) are more challenging that what I have already done and I don't want people to get hurt trying to keep up. I would however love to have people walk up to the top of the last mountain if they want to. Ill keep you posted on the date of this climb when it nears.

Just so you all know. Hiking the AT is mostly about the people, not so much the hiking and scenery. I have considered quitting many times but didn't because of the amazing people. The second most entertaining thing for me has been the privies and here's why (some photos may follow in my next memory card):
Top 4 privies:
#4: Sending Parcels to me in a privy? Some of them have mailboxes. I had no idea USPS delivered to the shitters in the woods. Wonder what that would look like. Aaron Nevells, C/O privy near shelter without roof, Somewhere, VA 21456. The real reason for the boxes is to store TP, but since you carry your own all the time they are always empty. Oh well perhaps next time.
#3: Wheel chair accessible privy. Oh yes 5 miles from anything over root and rock infested land they built a privy with a wheel chair ramp and handicap handrails inside. Apparently someone complained that they were not accessible....and the privy is still in accessible but if somehow someone in a wheelchair gets airdropped into that part of the woods (within 3 feet of the privy) they could use it. The handle bars in the privy can also be used to brace yourself if you have eaten some bad spam and need to put a hurting on the privy as a hiker...too much info I know.
#2: Overmountain privy was 3 walls. The 4th (the way you faced) looked out over a gorgeous mountain side to the east (sunrise). One of the best views so far was from a toilet...odd but true.
#1: There was a privy which had 4 walls and all you could see was people's calfs. I went in there and was amazed when I realized that someone had scribed the entire Dr. Seuss Book "the Lorax" on the 4 interior walls. I had a great time but can only imagine what the casual onlooker thought when they saw my calfs rotating around the inside of the privy. Best privy experience yet.

OK, I need to go check the laundry. I know there are a few typo's in this posting but I wanted to get it done before Noah & I go to a double header movie tonight (Iron Man & Indy). I'm prepared to be amazed after a few months without movies.

Hope you are all well.