I've just emerged from the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter. The rain finally ceased around 8ish last night. Today marks the third and final day of this section hike, #5. I'm fully prepared and eager to hit the trail once again.

Today, parts of the trail were quite easy, especially the sections where I walked along the boardwalks.

Around lunchtime, I arrived at Tom Floyd Wayside, situated on a short side trail from the AT. It's a cozy shelter with room for 6-7 hikers. The spacious porch, adorned with benches, provided the perfect spot for my lunch break. As I enjoyed my meal, I noticed two hikers taking a siesta. One of them was a young thru-hiker tackling the AT, while the other was his father, who had joined him for a week, providing companionship along the trail.

Yeah, I've entered Shenandoah National Park, the first national park along the Appalachian Trail. Additionally, I've completed my three-day section hike, number 5, at Compton Gap on Skyline Drive. Now, it's time to figure out how to get back to my car parked at Bear's Den Hostel.

My initial plan was to call the shuttle driver or use Uber/Lyft as soon as I finished my hike. However, I had no signal on my cellphone, leaving me with no choice but to ask for a hitch to the nearest town, Front Royal, and then take a cab from there.

I walked to Skyline Drive and nervously thumbed for a ride. The Skyline Drive of Shenandoah National Park is very busy during the weekend, with plenty of cars passing by, but unfortunately, no one stopped to pick me up. I don't blame them for not wanting to pick up a smelly hiker.

After 20 minutes passed, to my surprise, an RV stopped to pick me up. The driver, Jeff, was heading home to Massachusetts from Florida. Interestingly, he had taken a detour and was driving along the Skyline Drive. I learned that he was a former Appalachian Trail thru-hiker who completed his hike in 1995, going by the trail name "Wired." Jeff not only gave me a ride but also drove me all the way to Bear's Den Hostel, where my car was parked. Many thanks to Jeff for his kindness and generosity.