We're taking a much needed zero today, April 15th. It wasn't our original plan, but we are really excited about it. I broke one of my hiking poles just south of Pearisburg and we sent the replacement (free, thanks, Black Diamond) to a campground 26 miles from Troutville, where we are today. It was either 2 13 mile days or we could slack pack 26 miles and take a zero day. We are excited to slack pack our first time (it means someone takes our pack to the destination and we hike with only what we need for the day. It has been really nice to take a break today, and it is Crunchy, one of the Brits, birthday, so 12 of us are going out to dinner to celebrate.
Day 49, Apr 8- 17.6, mile 631.3
Day 50, Apr 9- 14.5, mile 645.8
Day 51, Apr 10- 663.3
Day 52, Apr 11, 18.2, mile 681.5
Day 53, Apr 12- 16.8, mile 698
On this day we tackled a rocky ridgeline that had very little water. It was hot, near 80, and sunny. A beautiful day, by all accounts, but it forced us to carry more water than we usually do. Water weighs 2lbs a liter, and extra weight and rocks kills my knees pretty rapidly. Anyway, we got 2.5 miles beyond the dragons tooth, which was crawling-literally- with over a hundred undergrads from Virginia tech, and headed toward our reward, a hostel with a shower. We hadn't showered since April 2nd and I was so excited!
The hostel, 4 pines, was in a guy named Joe's garage. It had couches, a bed, a couple cots, some lawn chairs (like those people lay out and tan on) with pads, and a stove, microwave, and hiker fridge. It also had the guys tools, fishing supplies and other sundries. I felt at home instantly. He also had tons of hiker type resupply foods- for free- and eggs for us from his chickens. It was amazing. His is a donation hostel, and I'd go there again in a heartbeat. He also gave us a ride to the Homeplace restaurant, an all you can eat homesyle restaurant where they keep bringing out plates of fried chicken, potatoes, gravy, green beans, etc, etc, until you can't eat anymore. Then they bring out cobbler! I probably wouldn't love it as a restaurant in real life, but in trail life it was phenomenal.
Day 54 Apr 13- 714.9, 16.9 miles
Day 55, Apr 14-724, 9.1 miles
Back on trail in the morning. Text me or leave us a comment here if you'd like. I want to formally thank a couple friends, Dean, Udu, and Joshua, for sending packages our way. And, of course, Tom and Brenda for sending out some summer gear and being our home base. It helps our budgets and our morale so much. Some days, the trail takes more than it gives, and kind notes on the web or my phone really brighten our moods.
Here's a pretty pic of the sky today. The clouds were eerie. Cheers!
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