Rapidan Camp 28 December 2013

Reported by John Shannon

A warmer than normal day have brought out twelve people today, and on arrival at Bootens Gap, we met David Brown and Lindsay Brown, but winter conditions in the form of a cold wind had us reaching for warm clothing. The uphill was probably good for warming us up as we walked on frozen ground and even sheets of ice under the surface. By the time we reached Milam Gap, conditions were warmer. Three people turned around either to move house or to rest knees. The three stream crossings to Rapidan Camp did not cause any falls. On the deck of the main house, we found a sunbathing John Brandt, who was asked if he swam, walked or materialized there. A majority of the group chose the warmer part of the deck. Perhaps it was the proximity to Christmas feasts that left some of a small communal chocolate cake uneaten. Before getting too cold, we headed out, uphill along Laurel Prong Trail, which in some sections was a shallow stream bed. John Brandt returned to Cat Knob area thinking that a dog he heard earlier may have belonged to people who were looking for their dog. People on the trail today were John Herrity, who went on a work trip before coming on his first hike with this group, Rich Collins, David Carter, Brad Young, Dan Ralston, Jeanne Densmore, C. J. Woodburn, Laurie Schmid, Karl Schmid, Anne Colgate, Marian Styles

This was the first time some people had walked these trails and seen Rapidan Camp. These people found the views very enjoyable and the camp fascinating.