The hike today took me out of Shendoah National Park. I really enjoyed the Park. It was great that the plan allowed us to slow down and enjoy ourselves. The Lodges and Waysides are awesome, but so is the scenery. 

As soon as we left the Park, the Trail became steep and rocky. It was like crossing a County line on the highway. An immediate change in trail design and maintenance. 

The forest also changed. It went from predominately pine trees to mostly oaks. The underbrush became thick and dense, with a lot of honeysuckle. This ecosystem is not nearly as pretty as the mountain vistas. 

Tonight I’m staying at a hostel just off trail. It is clean, well maintained, and owned by some wonderful people. The night was spent with the usual town chores…shower, laundry, resupply, hot food, and cold beer. 

And a cozy bed for the night!