Shenandoah Wilderness

I'm sitting in a rocking chair next to the dogs on the front porch of a cabin in the Shenandoah Wilderness in Shenandoah National Park, enjoying the fireflies. I heard a whippoorwill a few minutes ago and realized I didn't bring earplugs, so we'll see if the night turns out magical or sleepless.

After seemingly endless rain the past few weeks, the sun finally came out today. Juneteenth (Thursday) I road my bike out the W&OD to my hometown to go to the pool with a friend from junior high. I got a flat but still got 20 miles in.

Today was hot but either it was less bad in the mountains or I'm getting used to it. I need mileage and more importantly massive vertical for Hardrock in 3 weeks, so I rented a car for the third straight weekend. It's stressful arranging the logistics with the dogs and work, but it feels good when I get good and tired. Did about 18 miles and 4,000 feet of vert today, hope for steeper tomorrow.

The dogs and I had probably two dozen ticks on us today, and when the cabin maintainer said there were venomous snakes in and around the cabin,  they were not kidding. It's curled up under a rock next to the front porch. Luckily not the one anyone chose to use as a step, but yikes.



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