May 14, 2001

Day 47 - Jenny Knob Shelter to Woodshole Hostel

Had a decent night’s sleep, but for some reason I keep waking up around midnight and have trouble getting back to sleep. Now I think it’s in my head to wake up around that time. Need to reprogram my brain.

We got up at 6:30 (early for us) and were out by 7:30 (almost the last ones). At 8:15 the sky opened up, but thankfully it was warm enough to forego the rain gear. The walking was surprisingly easy (yeah!). 


We were expecting a shelter at 10 miles, but it never came. Finally got to the shelter at 12:30 and found it was at 13.6 miles. Ate lunch (tortillas with peanut butter and raisins), and as I was leaving the thunder started and the rain came pouring down. My feet were swimming in my boots. Dave is hiking in sandals due to a blister on one of his heels. But he didn’t complain. 


One tough climb, then pretty smooth sailing the rest of the way to the Woodshole Hostel. Only eight people can sign up for breakfast, and we were too late to get on the list. 

There is a bunkroom upstairs, but no more room, so we’ll be on the porch. Tillie, who runs this place, is very cute. She comes around and meets all the hikers. 

Physically, I'm holding up pretty well, but I do have a few aches and pains – especially in my knees. Took some Motrin (i.e., vitamin I for ibuprofen) tonight. Some people pop them all day. I do feel stronger and will hopefully continue to improve.

It’s still hard for me to not be mile-focused. I always know where we are and how many miles to go before the next checkpoint. And I usually have an idea in mind as to what time we should be reaching our destination. I think it helps me to know how much is left (good or bad). Maybe eventually I’ll be able to put away the watch, but not quite yet.

Looking forward to getting my Walkman, which is being sent to Pearisburg. Wonder if anyone else sent us anything. That would be a nice treat. Stepped on the scale here, and was surprised to find that I’ve gained two pounds since Laurel Creek. Maybe it was wrong, since it showed Dave had gained weight as well.

We enjoyed our night at Woodshole, especially when the thunder and lightning started around 9 and the cows started to moan. There have been a few times out here when I’ve really wished I had a tape recorder instead of (or in addition to) a camera. The cow moans, the Whip-poor-will singing, Tillie ringing the dinner bell…

We bedded down in the eating area of the bunkhouse, and it was a little cramped. The lightning gave me an occasional glimpse of my surroundings, but otherwise it was pitch black. I kept getting disoriented and forgetting which side of me Dave was on.

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