but then you just need to roll with it. Thus began out first day when hampered by Thunderstorms we were destined to “hotel” it. Not that we were complaining. I/we did not want to start off our 4-week cross-country adventure cold, wet, and miserable. Better to save the misery for down the road when going actually gets tough.
We entered Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive from the north entrance and traveled 51 miles south to Swift Run Gap proceeding from there to Harrisonburg, VA, and home to JMU. The call was made earlier in the day when the weather forecast refused to cooperate and the skies matched the reports. In the end it all turned out to be much-to-do-about-nothing, but better safe than sorry.
We had a chill evening in Harrisonburg, touring the campus (for Mac), hitting a local ale house (for dad), and back to hotel (thanks Mom) for a swim (for J) and a relaxed evening in comfortable beds. It was also a good opportunity to pick up a few supplies from the local Home Depot – how did I not plan for emergency tarp erection, pickup a rain jacket for Mac (that dad left at home), and catch up on some email.
Day 1 Miles: 305
Brandywine Overland 