Day 46 - Laurel Creek Campsite to Jenny Knob Shelter

It was really cold during the night and into the morning (“see your breath” cold). I started off hiking with my shorts, pants, long underwear top, short-sleeve top, long-sleeved shirt, and fleece hat. My hands hurt for the first five or 10 minutes until I was able to get the blood flowing into them. I don’t even remember it being that cold in the Smokies.

The first seven miles to the road were beautiful – mostly a flat, wide trail along the top of a ridge. Did the seven miles in two hours and 15 minutes.

Strange trail-walking thought of the day: What do butterflies eat? Do they sleep? Where do they live?

Didn’t have much trouble at all getting a ride into Bland. Hit the local supermarket to resupply and for something to eat. I had been craving cereal, milk, and bananas ever since Stray Cat told me that’s what he got in Damascus. No ripe bananas, so I chose Banana Nut Crunch cereal. Did serious damage to the box with just two bowls. Then had a Sprite, a few bites of Dave’s potato salad, and half a piece of Patch Monkey’s coconut cake. Ugh. Tummy ache from food overload.

Smittee, Ebb, Charlie, Murph, Duracell, and Patch Monkey

The store was small, but not too small. I guess the checkout lady was using her can of Lysol whenever one of us walked by. Pretty funny.

It’s quite amazing that I’m able to go out in public, day after day, virtually bare faced. My entire makeup kit out here fits into a Ziploc baggie that's definitely less than a pound. Maybe I’ll check it at the produce aisle someday.

Still had 12 miles to do after our town stop. Got a ride back to the trail. The walking wasn’t too tough, but it certainly wasn’t as flat as the topo map indicated. Hard to walk with the hip belt pressing into my sore belly. Really looking forward to our stay in Pearisburg (in a motel room). Long overdue. Lots of people at this shelter, so Dave and I are tenting it.

Dave bought a bag of marshmallows and chocolate sauce at the store and broke it out tonight. Everyone was psyched. Kind of like Patch Monkey’s s'mores on Chestnut Knob.