I decided to strap on my pack, complete with all necessary assorted overnight gear, and head out, braving bears and banshees for a solo hike. The loop I chose was the Overall Run/Heiskell Hollow Loop, (http://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/OverallRunHeiskellHollow/) that originates at a beucolic farm covered in soft moss and cactus, sunbeams and cow dung, a gurgling cool brook and junked, rusty, abandoned trailers; all common Maryland juxtapositions. Of course, I wondered who the Heiskells were, don't you?! I did some Googling and found this from the Madera County Library website, "Frederick Heiskell was born 1752 in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, and died 1815 in Stony Creek, Shenandoah County, Virginia. He married Catherine Von Steidinger 1774 in Virginia, daughter of Frederick and Magdalena Steidinger. She was born 1756, and died February 1818 in Shenandoah County, Virginia. Her father was from Wetterschaussen, Wurttemburg, Germany. Frederick Heiskell was a merchant, and the father of ten children."
I started off without a soul in sight and was immediately greeted by swimming holes that must have had some invisible sirens hanging out along their banks because I had to use some major willpower not to jump in - I had some miles to go first! I forded over 5 streams, first taking my shoes on and off and then not caring and sloshing right through. I saw my first Wood Thrush (Gondolina from the AT adventure). I swear one of the little brown sprites followed me the whole trail flickering in and out of low branches and sunlight.
Of course, I didn't bring a map, just wrote down the directions on a piece of paper. I took a wrong turn at the beginning and ended up taking a different route through the loop. I asked random hikers to see their maps and generally understood, that I was on the right path, just a little different from the one I had initially decided upon (that line is ripe for yoga teacher use). As night was drawing near and I started looking for a place to camp, I decided, last minute, to ask one more person if I could see their map to make sure I knew where I was before setting up camp. WIth this in mind, I passed a small campsite nestled back behind some trees. I barely glimpsed the tents from the path. "Um, excuse me...." I timidly asked the guy, about my age with cut-off jeans. He looked up and I realized, "Oh my gentle Jesus, I know this person." Turned out to be one of Mr. Mike Marks' best friends, Joel. We looked at each other, speachless and then we both laughed in disbelief. Out of all the places in the universe to run into someone, the odds of us happening upon each other in the backcountry of Virginia seemed one of the most unlikely. Joel's awesome girlfriend Kaitlin and his roommate Bert were both there too. Looked like I wasn't going to have to brave the wilderness by myself after all. A sign? Maybe. Awesome company. Definitely.
The aptly named, Big Falls
Page Valley with the Manssauntten Range beyond, view from Big Falls - yeah, seriously, good idea God
