Wednesday 5/26

Ponytail called me from Cedar Cliffs this morning. He was overlooking the Shenandoah Valley – Sun is out and he is dry. He is very happy.

He says the view is mountains on one side and on the other it is flat.

He came across several deer this morning. Deer seem to only run about 30 feet from you and then they just stop, turn around and watch you. Bizarre!

He went though Rockfish Gap - Old terraced gardens, cemetery, old homesteads. Neat to see. Some people also say this area is haunted. He didn’t see any ghosts.

The Flying Scotsmen and PTD called the day hiker(from the night before) when approached the end of the trail in Waynesboro. He came and picked them up and brought them to the church hostel and said if they need any other rides while in town to call again. No problem, he was more than willing. People are so friendly in the south.

They are staying at the Evangelical Lutheran Church hostel. Tonight is Wednesday and they put on a big feed for the hikers. Super eats - Fried Chicken, Baked Chicken, Grilled Chicken, Homemade Mac and Cheese, salad fixings, Lemonade, Ice Tea..and more. Then there was cake and ice cream too. Ponytail say she was stuffed. Thinks he gained 5 pounds. I said good, you need it.

After dinner, they have a church service at the hostel. All are welcome to attend but not necessary. All that ate decided to attend. They say this was the biggest group ever of thru hikers to come to the service after dinner.

After that they were going to try to find a bar to celebrate Tillerman’s 61st b-day. No bars so they went to this Chinese place and had Chinese beer.

PTD ran into some people that says Mr Vix was looking for him and gave him a message that he would be in Duncannon and he would be watching the Soccer game - USA vs England on the 12th of June. PTD will make sure he swings in there to see him if he doesn’t catch up to him sooner on the trail.

Hostel has a curfew of 10pm. They just made it. Some stayed up and watched movies. PTD took the time to use the phone and computer.

20.8 miles day – total of 852.5 to date on the AT