McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 8/14/2024 | AT Mile 114.7 | Day Total: 3 miles | Gain: 598 ft

Officially in the double digits for # of days! This morning we did the usual and started hiking at 7:20. Everyone is itching to get into Monson to get back to normal style living. I on the other hand will be continuing southbound to Georgia but plan on taking a nero at Shaws Hiker Hostel.

We nearly ran past a few ponds this morning in excitement. Nothing much exciting happened for the mere 3 miles we hiked into town today so I didn’t take many pictures.

We know we’re getting close when we can hear the road getting louder and louder. The sound of roaring engines is in the distance. It’s been 8 days now since we’ve last heard one and by now our ears are tuned to forest noises.

We passed the 100 mile wilderness sign today and Noah took our picture.

We timed it perfectly because Shaws was dropping off hikers that stayed last night at the trailhead so we were able to get a ride after he drops an injured hiker off at the medical center. Sounds like they fell and had to get a few stitches on their head.

We shuttled the short drive to Shaws, dropped our packs at the Picnic table and were given a tour. They’ve got everything a hiker would ever need: a gear shop, resupply, they serve breakfast, shower, laundry, and more. Our room was already ready which was nice so we were able to get settled in. We all took showers and started a load of laundry. It’s so so so nice to wash all the days of dirt and sweat off ourselves and get into clean clothing.

On our way to the gas station for lunch we noticed that the AT Visitor center was open. It’s usually closed on Wednesday’s but theres a few volunteers working today so I picked up my hangtag. They were not sure what number I am so I’ll have to call the visitor center in Harpers Ferry to find out.

We indulged in the gas station pizza and fries today. It was either really good or we were all just really hungry. Probably both. Cole got a half gallon of chocolate milk, Maddy got a small chocolate milk, Noah bought his first alcoholic beverage, and Nathan and I had a Gatorade. We were all filled to the brim.

We got back to Shaws and Cole and Nathan went to pick up the car back at AT Hostel and Outfitters. While they were gone I organized and dried out everything and started catching up with everything while I had WiFi.

Once Nathan and Cole were back we went to get icecream and to the general store where I picked up a bandana and a post card to send home. Another hiker, Windy, was also sending out post cards later that night and was kind enough to give me a stamp. Thanks Windy!

We ate dinner in the common room at Shaws, I had a very filling chicken tender basket. It’s a pretty neat room. It’s got a VCR player, a bunch of old movies on tape, out of tune piano, a guitar, a hang, I could go on.

After dinner I spend some time prepping the journals and talking with my family over the phone. The WiFi cuts out sometimes so the FaceTime didn’t work too well so we just did a call. It was nice to catch up with them.

We headed to bed shortly after. Nathan and Cole are getting out early to start their drive. Noah and Maddy are going to stay for a bit and have breakfast and I’m going to do the same. I’ll probably hitch a ride with Noah and Maddy to the trailhead later in the morning but I may just take the 8:30 shuttle. We’ll see how things are rolling in the morning.

I think it pretty official, I checked into Shaws with my trail name today, Squirrly. For two reasons, a squirrel got into my trail mix and I’m always doing something.