Front Royal, VA (USA)

[up early - drove out to hike on Appalachian Trail at Chester Gap (US-522) - got there by driving out on I-66, VA-55, VA-638 out to US-522 - first hiked north to Denton Shelter - saw lots of people with dogs - encountered one SOBO hiker - after resting at my car, headed south - saw a few other hikers SOBO - 2 deer, owl, bear - hung out at Floyd Shelter with "Tin Can" - hiked back with Anthony (training for hike around Mount Rainier) - Smithsonian animal preserve - gas in Front Royal - then back to Alexandria (1700) - bought new hiking boots and then went home - 8.42 miles / 112.92 total]