Date: 2008-05-02
From: tom floyd wayside

To: front royal, va
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: few clouds

Lazily got up and out. I tried out TB's zrest and determined I would much rather carry the extra half pound of my prolite 3. Didn't sleep much and it was hot again. Actually had a few nights all the way in the bag before last night.We left camp and proceeded to do our lowest mile day the entire trip to the road into Front Royal. Quite the nero. Less than an hour I think.Hitched into town in the back of a pickup. Hummus volunteered for the first shift and within 3 minutes of him out there with his thumb up a cop pulled over to talk to him. Fortunately it was just to make sure noone was hurt. Hitching is completely legal in most cases, with the main exceptions being limited access roads and prison zones. Some cops don't know that or pretend not to though, but we haven't had any problems yet.The guy who picked us up gave us a tour of the town and dropped us off at the Visitors' Center. We got our bearings and hung out for a bit. We are coming into an area with lots of Civil War history and there was even a battle in this town. Should be some interesting stuff for the next hundred miles of trail. We are roughly even in latitude with D.C. Now, and about 50 miles shy of Harper's' Ferry.TB's parents met us and we made our way to an AYCE buffet. Turns out it was an amazing spread of home cooked food. Lasagna, lots of veggies, sauerkraut, every kind of meat, and some stuff I couldn't identify but it was good too. I filled my plate four times and the fifth time I cut a dinner plate size piece of this like baked bread pudding. Topped it with ice cream, and after that I was pretty full. As always, I put a hurting on that buffet. Hummus actually had a bigger piece that overhung his dinner plate. Struggled to finish it and have some great video dictated by Shepherd. TB's parents grabbed the bill and paid for the 7 of us. Can't complain about that.Hit the PO and picked up my new pack. Headed to the hotel where TB's parents got a room for us.Did laundry and vegged for a bit. Turns out the outfitter had my package all along all the way back in Daleville. Made me angry and happy, but at least I know where it is. They will forward it up the trail a week or so.Called REI and complained about my boots. They are blown out and the manufacturer said they were not intended for how I was using them. REI is taking them back and will be sending me some trail runners. Worked out pretty good. May be able to make it to ME with only paying for one pair of shoes. Will see how the next pair goes. As an added bonus, I got a half size larger shoe since my feet are getting bigger. They are really changing shape.TB's parents invited us to their room for hours d'oerves of cheese and crackers and Sam Adams. I gladly accepted. We talked for a bit.Changed over my gear and it fit nicely in my new pack. Will have to play with packing it for a few days but it should work nicely.Went to the store for resupply. No Dollar General unfortunately so we paid about double for our resupply at a normal grocery store.Hit up BK for dinner and back to the hotel. Had Derby Pie and cookies care of TB's parents {they are from Louisville and tomorrow is the derby}.We watched an episode of the Alaskan Experiment. Amazing show but some of the people aren't too bright. Would be something amazing to do. Our group would own up on Alaska.Pretty much it, I actually had a full bed to myself so we'll see how it goes.Shepherd decided that he is going to quit the trail at Harper's' Ferry. He had a number of reasons, and I feel that I shouldn't try to convince anyone to stay or quit unless they specifically ask for my opinion. Will be sad to see him go even though we only hiked with him for the last four days.