Date: 2003-06-02
From: Daleville, VA - James River, VA

To: Daleville, VA - James River, VA
Miles today: 58.7
Weather: clear sky

Daleville, VA - James River58.7 miles (769.7 total miles)Daleville was horrible. We stopped at Pizza Hut for lunch on day 57, and I got food poisoning. A few of us got sick, but none as bad as me. We got our town chores done, but I was miserable. My stomach was churning. I didn't sleep at all that night.Day 58 was slightly better, but I couldn't eat anything. We enjoyed a lazy morning until checkout time, then slowly headed out 5 miles. We made a trip to the post office. I was running on empty, with no sleep. I wasn't thinking clearly, and little things like crossing the road and following the white blazes were stressing me out. It was a very long 5 miles to the shelter, and I just couldn't eat dinner. I was in bad shape.At least I slept well, as I started out on day 59 feeling okay. It was raining, which made things hard. I got out by 7:00, and the terrain was pretty easy. We hit our first shelter at 6.2 miles by 9:00. Most of the people at the shelter hadn't even left yet. We stopped briefly, then went on another 7.2 miles to the next shelter by 12:15. We passed the Blue Ridge Parkway a few times, but we only saw rain. We started another 5.7 to the next shelter, but the rain and my stomach told me we needed to stop. So we headed back and called it a short day.I woke up on day 60 feeling promising. The sun was out, and my stomach had settled. I ate a small breakfast and started out. We crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway, where we actually saw a view! There were some small mountain peaks poking through the clouds below. As the day went on, I was more and more grateful for a sunny day. We found some sodas in a stream under a bridge. Trail magic from a stranger. I put one in my pack.We stopped at a river for lunch. There was a nice sandy beach. It was such a beautiful day that we just couldn't leave. We had spent so long shelter-hopping to eat without being rained on that this sunny day was wonderful! The trail wandered across streams, through forests, and over moderate hills. The rhododendren was blooming, and the lizards were out running around.We came across a long hill to the final shelter, and my body finally caught up with me. I stopped and ate half the food in my bag, and all my water. After 48 hours without food, my weak body had taken all it could. We got to our final shelter, and I ate a huge dinner. My energy level picked up again, and for the first time in 2 days I felt halfway decent.I was up and out by 7:00 on day 60. It started raining about a mile into the day. It rained hard. It was cold and windy. We did a hard climb to the highest point on the trail until New Hampshire. We stopped at a shelter for breakfast, but couldn't stay. It was just too cold. My feet were drenched. Oh, this rain was really getting to me.From there it was a long, slow downhill. It was 18 miles to the shelter, and my feet could feel it. We stopped at the shelter, and decided to continue on, as we were only 2 miles from town. My parents were somewhere in town. If we could get cell phone reception, maybe we could get an extra night in town.We got to the James River at about 4:30. There was no cell phone reception. We were wet, dirty, and about 6 miles from town. What now? We stood around for a few minutes, trying to figure out our next move, when a black truck pulled up. It was my mom and step-dad! What trail magic! They were driving by, and decided to check the trailhead to see who was around. What amazing timing! We were all thrilled. We got shuttled around to motels, restaurants, and anywhere we needed to go. My mom and stepdad were having fun meeting hikers and giving trail magic. I wanted them to experiece the trail on their visit, and this was the best way to do that. It felt great to clean up and eat well. And it was very special to have my family experience it with me. I am looking forward to a full zero day resting up with my family and friends.