I got up and added writing in Nana's birthday card to my agenda. We headed out and the Appalachian Trail followed a yellow blazed trail for awhile until they branched away, it was basically an old roadbed. I arrived at the other registration station for the Shenandoah National Park and then I was out. I came to a shelter early enough that everyone was still asleep, but I still snapped a couple photos. The terrain was a slight downhill but a nice path for jogging. I emerged out of the woods to a path beside residential, and a field. I jogged down the dirt path with grass on either side until I reached some footbridges, and then I crossed the road. From here I walked alongside the road with some more footbridges and nice walking path uphill back into the woods. The whole day allowed me to jog about 85% of the time; it's amazing how fast miles, and time goes by jogging instead of walking. I passed by MommaBear and continued to jog toward the shelter with a porch and solar shower. I came across some gorgeous flowers throughout my day, and even stopped to make Nana a birthday surprise. Today was already so much better than yesterday, but it was about to get better. I jogged down to the shelter and saw a familiar face before it registered who it was, it was Moose. As soon as I realized it was her, I looked over and threw my hands up-I knew Alpine was with Moose and Teton! It was such a nice morning surprise. We took a photo of us all on the front porch of the shelter. They checked out my daypack, and Teton said I'm like Jennifer Pharr Davis (woman who holds the unofficial record for the fastest thruhike in 2011) running through the woods. I explained how my grandparents have been helping me out, and Alpine said how he knew I was creeping up from my occasional Facebook posts. It was so good to see them and I think we all will be rolling into Harpers Ferry together tomorrow, I gotta get a photo of Alpine and I since we started at Springer Miuntain together almost 3 months ago! I left them and continued jogging down the trail. I got to an uphill hike out in pastureland which I haven't seen in awhile and the sun felt good, and hot. The trail went back into the woods and a ridge runner was heading south toward me. He fumbled with his words and then called me a day hiker, I quickly corrected him saying I was a thruhiker I was just slackpacking. We talked for a couple minutes and then I headed on. I collected all kinds of windflowers and saved them in my knife pouch for Nana. I dropped my phone and dirt got packed into the headphone jack, I tried to get it out with a stick but it wouldn't clean out; so I let it be. Once Papa got me; we headed back to the campground where Nana was waiting. The flowers were starting to get sad and wilting, guess I didn't think that through too well. I gave them to her, and she stuck them in some water while I was able to pull the dirt out of my phone after it dried up. I ate, showered, and then Papa and I headed to the store to get some things. Pictured below is pretty much all you need in life; bananas, wine, and Oreo ice cream. We made plans for a new campground for tomorrow in Harpers Ferry, WEST VIRGINIA! Finally out of Virginia, and then I took a short nap. We went to Joe's Steakhouse for Nana's birthday dinner, and I have yet to have a bad dinner in these past two weeks. They gave us fresh watermelon and mint to start and it was so great and refreshing. We got calamari for an appetizer and that was really good. For dinner I got a Caesar salad, filet, sweet potato, and vegetables-so good. For dessert Papa and I shared a brownie and ice cream, and Nana got bread pudding. I asked the waiter to put a candle; he either forgot, or they didn't have any. No complaints here! I texted with Lynn quite a bit, and I think after the 4 state challenge she is going to come find me and then make up the missed section after Katahdin; I really hope she does, I miss my partner in crime. Can you believe it-Harpers Ferry tomorrow! Just found out my photo won on Appalachian Trials best Instagram photos this week! How exciting!
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