Shenandoah National Park

I went through Shenandoah National Park. Its fairly thin, but 105 miles long along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Drove about half of it. At one point I ran on one of the trails. For part of it, it coincided with the Appalachian trail. I've never been on it, so that was really cool. It turns out the Appalachian Trail looks pretty much like any other, but it was still cool anyway. Some have a goal of hiking the entire Appalachian Trail. That little amount I did was enough. I don't have a "bucket list", but if I did, that might have been on it. Check.

I just don't like the term "bucket list". I might have a list of things I would like to do, but I wouldn't call it that. However, I do remember watching TV when I was a kid and there was some skit. Some gunfighter had just been shot and was on the ground dying. He gave his final words and then went limp and kicked a bucket that was next to him. I don't know exactly why, but I remember that being hilarious.

Anyway, the day before, I drove through the Shenandoah Valley. The whole experience was like the John Denver Song, Country Roads.

Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Country Roads, Take me home, To the place where I belong, West Virginia, Mountain Mamma, Take me home, country roads.

I don't remember the whole lyrics, but I know I've always been puzzled by "Mountain Mamma". Seriously, John, where did that come from? A nice song that went south real quick with that.

Nothing bad happened on the run, but right after that I saw a bear on the road. I could have been eaten!!! He was just a baby, but his mother was probably nearby. Maybe that's the mountain momma. I've read that if you encounter a bear, do not run. But that's what I was doing on the trail to begin with. If mamma bear was around he would have just seen a big ole mcnugget with legs and the chase would have been on. I have a feeling I would have lost. But I avoided problems. I guess I'm smarter than the average bear.