I don't think I
said enough about how badly yesterday was going. I was feeling the
Virginia blues, big time. It was disgustingly humid, the terrain was
very difficult, and it was raining for the eighth day in a row.
No rain, no slanting floor, no bugs, no mice… The only problem was the outside light shining in my face. But I just pulled my hat down over my eyes and was OK. Woke up at 4 and had trouble getting back to sleep – got excited thinking about breakfast, I think.
Bought breakfast and just enough snacks for the day. Got a hitch back to the trail. It was a beautiful clear day with bright blue skies and no humidity. What a change! We certainly appreciated it. Took our time walking, even though we left kind of late and had 20 miles to do.
Our first stop of the day was McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the AT. It was impressive. We all took the opportunity to dry out our tents and socks and boots.
Then after a climb we reached the Tinker Cliffs. Awesome place to sit and enjoy the view, which we did. Still had a long way to walk, but the terrain was a bit easier.
Dave and I have been talking about building a shelter in the backyard when we get home. We could put it where the screen house used to be. I think it would get a lot of use.
Made it to Daleville around 8. The Best Western is right off the trail. Hit the local steakhouse for AYCE salad bar. My feet were really hurting at the end of the day. Felt like my toes were being crushed against the front of my boots. So glad to get into town!
The Best Western was really nice. Six of us shared the room. Dave and Charlie volunteered to do all our laundry, and didn’t finish til 1:30 a.m.
Anyway,
being able to stay in the feed shed, and having the store still open,
absolutely made my night. That was the softest concrete floor I've ever
slept on!
No rain, no slanting floor, no bugs, no mice… The only problem was the outside light shining in my face. But I just pulled my hat down over my eyes and was OK. Woke up at 4 and had trouble getting back to sleep – got excited thinking about breakfast, I think.
Bought breakfast and just enough snacks for the day. Got a hitch back to the trail. It was a beautiful clear day with bright blue skies and no humidity. What a change! We certainly appreciated it. Took our time walking, even though we left kind of late and had 20 miles to do.
Our first stop of the day was McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the AT. It was impressive. We all took the opportunity to dry out our tents and socks and boots.
Then after a climb we reached the Tinker Cliffs. Awesome place to sit and enjoy the view, which we did. Still had a long way to walk, but the terrain was a bit easier.
Dave and I have been talking about building a shelter in the backyard when we get home. We could put it where the screen house used to be. I think it would get a lot of use.
Made it to Daleville around 8. The Best Western is right off the trail. Hit the local steakhouse for AYCE salad bar. My feet were really hurting at the end of the day. Felt like my toes were being crushed against the front of my boots. So glad to get into town!
The Best Western was really nice. Six of us shared the room. Dave and Charlie volunteered to do all our laundry, and didn’t finish til 1:30 a.m.
The feed shed was one of my favorite nights on the trail. Bliss. I remember I bought Pringles. (I haven't had Pringles in 12 years!) Remember moving the store owner's furniture, and him driving his moving van through moving water? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteThe night before was one of my worst -in that crazy thunderstorm. I also had a mouse running up and over my tent - in between the fly and the tent.
Up and down up and down up and down. Thunder, downpour, scamper scamper scamper....
Not to mention the rescue vehicles for the poor lady with the broken leg.
That poor woman.