Another China buffet

June 27,

Start:  958.2 Tom Floyd Wayside
End:   976.3 Dick's Dome Shelter
Total:  18.1 Miles

Last night was all about the rain.  It wasn't a good Arizona monsoon, but it still rained constantly all night.  By morning though it was just dripping from the trees. 

Red Stripe, the hammocker from last night and I decided to hitch in to Front Royal together, it's usually easier getting rides for two dirty looking people then one.  Hiking and talking, the three miles to US 522 go quickly.

Just before the highway, there was a five gallon water container and a sign that said "welcome" on it at a side trail to a home.  We didn't need any water, but it is the thought that counts.  We did see a day hiker approaching us sobo.  The hiker turned out to be a Ridge Runner for the ATC, a person paid to do minor trail work and educate the public.  Basically a wilderness ranger with no law enforcement ability.  The Ridge Runners name was Junker. 

We hitched for five minutes before Junker returned and started messing around in his car parked at the trail head.  He said if we didn't get a ride, he would run us the three and a half miles into Front Royal.

Junker made some phone calls, then told us to hop in for a ride to the post office.  Today was basically Christmas.  At the PO, waiting for me were three pairs of new socks, the second half of the guide, and an extended battery for my phone.  We also got good info on one of the Chinese buffet in town.

Junker dropped us off near the buffet, then we headed to McDonald's for coffee and to charge phones.  There were no outlets though, so we headed next door to Burger King where there was one, and spent two hours. After the ling wait, we headed to Top's Buffet, and got stuffed.  We stayed three hours while my new battery charged.  We even made friends with some locals. 

After much happy time at the buffet, we hitched back and chilled at the trail for an hour before hiking north again.  Low elevation forests were dense along the Appalachian Trail today.  There were no views outside the trees.  That was ok though as at this point of the day, after relaxing so long, I just wanted to make miles. 

Red Stripe headed into the Jim and Molly Renting Shelter five miles out of town, and I continued on ten more miles.  Day turned to night, but no good spots were to be found to set up camp, in the lush firestone, so I headed on, hiking till nearly ten thirty this evening before reaching the Dick's Dome Shelter.  I found a spot to set up my tent, which was relatively difficult to find, being that this shelter was built on a rocky grade.  Then cooked dinner.  Now it's 12:21 AM and I need sleep.