cathieandrandy

Our neighbor Dave, who has a vacation home nearby, brought us out to Hancock, MD on Saturday morning. The snow, which dusted the landscape at home, was not to be found as we drove farther west and north. This was fortunate, and something of a switch. Arriving in Hancock by 9 am, we decided we had time for breakfast at Weaver’s, as had been recommended to us.

The first few miles of trail were a road walk out of Hancock. It was then that we realized and rejoiced at the start of our 6 month “vacation.” After mile 3 or so we remembered that we hate road walks, especially when the shoulder shrinks away to nothing on curving mountain roads. An old Chevy van careened toward us suddenly and we had nowhere to go. Well, yes, the driver got his vehicle under control and we lived, but we don’t like those Stephen King moments. What a relief to reach the woods! Other more enjoyable highlights of day one included a long lunch in a brand new PATC shelter in Dugan Hollow, and a campfire at the Spruce Hollow campsite our first evening.

Our first day was an easy 10 miles, but our second was a more challenging 19, and included a couple of 1000 foot climbs. The first was wicked steep, but I was astonished at what a difference the last few months of weight training had made. Wow! This isn’t so hard!

It’s Easter Sunday and we have had snow flurries off and on all day, but nothing sticks. Hiking through the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area we see wild turkeys, deer, ruffed grouse, and squirrels - but not a single hiker. It’s 28 degrees and too cold for any more journaling, as we head to bed.