George Jones

Curious Musings

May 2026

The Earl Shaffer memorial road walk

On his third and final through hike in ’98, Earl Shaffer was known to lament the trail reroutes that went over many PUDs (pointless up and downs) rather than the numerous road walks of 50 years earlier.   To honor Earl, I did a 4.5 mile road walk eliminating 7 or 8 miles of PUDs.

The hills not taken.  These are the hills I bypassed.
I got to see a bit of rural VA.   This donkey was so excited by the break in routine my presence provided that he he-hawed and ran in circles
Cows.  The bull made deep snorting noises at me.
An old mill.   Gears still inside.
Magic at the end.  “Sir Stops A Lot” provided trail magic at the end of my road walk.  Chicken Parm sub and soda.  Yum.