Date: 2013-06-10
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 48.0

Well my days have gotten grouped. Family reunion, post family reunion! Made it to Waynesboro for resupply and normal town chores! Plan on heading into Shenandoah's tomorrow. Met up with Blackhawk and Beerdra at breakfast. May hike out with Blackhawk.He seems to hike about the same pace I do and is a very nice guy. Met him a few months ago. The last few days have been tough hiking with many huge ups, a lot of rain. Rain just makes everything more difficult. I do like hiking in some light rain, just not monsoons! The problem with rain is, it makes drying out hard and weighs the pack down with additional pounds! What I don't need! People often ask; are you still enjoying the hike? Yes! I do have some days that are physically and emotionally trying, but all-in-all, I'm loving the experience. I have found that most hikers experience the same feelings, which is comforting. It seems when someone is struggling, other hikers will try and pick them up! I like the, "we're all in this together ", aspect of the trail. Talked to Awesome Wife this morning. She is driving back home to FL. She spent the last few days with our daughters family. This will be the last time I see her for quite awhile. I already miss her. People ask, what is the hardest part of thru-hiking? Not the hiking, missing her! It's not that we're not use to separations after spending 20 years in the Air Force, it just seems harder, because this is all voluntary. Make sense? I'm excited about getting in the Shennys. Supposed to be a little easier, and you don't have to carry as much food weight! Weight, always the dilema! Weight is everything out here. It makes the difference between a comfortable hike and a painful one! I carried 5 plus days of food getting into Waynesboro and it was awful! The most weight I've carried since Springer! Supposedly, I only need to carry a couple of days worth through the Shennys because of the resupply and snack bar/restaurant opportunities! I plan on hitting all of these! Ha! Many fellow hiker friends have decided to Aquablaze to Harpers Ferry. This is canoeing the Shenandoah River to Harpers Ferry. That would be a lot of fun, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I did struggle with this decision. I'm not really against it because you still hike more than 2000 miles, which is required to be considered a thru-hiker. I just decided it wasn't for me. No condemnation friends, hope you have a great time. I'm really looking forward to getting to Harpers Ferry and the half-way point! Also, I hope to visit a day or so with brother Donnie and his family who live their. Ok, I usually don't slam people or towns, but, Waynesboro, says on a sign as you enter, "Friendliest Town", not! Beerdra, fellow hiker, said; it's easy to get rides, I just stuck my thumb out and got a ride to the Outfitters and back, no problem! 6 miles later I made it back to my room! REALLY!!!! On a zero day! Ugh! I guess I looked intimidating, or she just looked, well, really pretty! Yep, that was it!!Ok, the Ming Chinese Restaurant lived up to its hype! Awesome dinner with Steady. Steady thru-hiked the PCT in 2011. Interesting guy. We plan to shuttle back to trail tomorrow with Black Hawk, Beerdra, and a few others. Go away rain. Talk about dumb, I left my shoes out in the sun to dry while I went to dinner and then it rained again! Yep, all wet again. Oh well, shoes will be wet as soon as I get back on trail anyways. It's all good!!50/50 Out