Date: 2014-05-30
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up and out early to get a start on my 18.4 mile day. My clean dry socks only lasted a few miles as I had to walk through an uncut hay field that was soaking with the dew from last night still. Can you say SQUISH SQUISH! I really don't care about being wet except it has caused a number of blisters on the top of my toes and I don't have any duct tape left to cover them up with. I will try using the mole skin but it doesn't seem to stick very long. I was so looking forward to crossing I-66 which I take frequently when going to Myrtle Beach. I thought I would be able to get some pictures as I would always look to see if I could spot it as I went down the road to see where it actually crossed. I was quite disappointed to find out the trail actually passed under and there would be no pics of it from either side. I passed under two overheads after coming out of the woods onto "Tucker Lane". I did get a banana at the trail head as a bit of trail magic. Speaking of the trail, it was a bit better today - not as many rocks but it has become more and more of a jungle with the vegatation taking over the trail in some spots requiring me to use my poles to push pass in places. Thank goodness I'm not allergic to poison ivy as I have seen a lot of it around. I don't know if the trail maintainers will be getting out anytime soon but in a couple of weeks when the big bubble pushes thru I can't imagine what the trail will be like by then especially when there is a lot of poison ivy growing next to the trail and up trees along the trail. There has been an added bonus on the trail with a new slicker type of mud called "Goose Snot". At least that's what I'm calling it. This stuff makes WD 40 look like peanut butter and takes being aware of your footing to a whole different level. I know its only a matter of time before I go down because of it. I only saw 2 nobo thru hikers today - the ones from the shelter I left today and all the others (9) were day hiking or section hiking. I got to camp and immediately took off my wet shoes and socks and my toes were pretty red with some more blisters. I dried them off the best I could then put mole skin on them and covered them with dry socks. I also changed into dry clothes as others were still damp from the day before. I then snacked on some pretzels and made a bagel and cheese sandwich. I also had beef jerky. I'm trying to get as much protein as possible as I think my weight is still dropping. Speaking of dropping, my food bag is getting skimpy and I think I may have cut it too close as I have 1 sandwich and 1 bag of pepperoni along with 2 breakfast bars left. I'm holding onto ramen noodle soup to see if I get hungry later tonight before going to bed. If I can hold out I will keep it for tomorrow. It's 530 as I write this and I'm the only one here. I wonder if it will be like last night and all will come in between 6 and 9. I have to pick up chinese laundry which is drying on the line at this time and then I will read some. It's been interesting to note the different phases I've been going thru as the hike has progressed. The first 800 or so miles were filled with interest and new people, places and things each day. Every morning was brand new and fresh. But since being in the Shenedoah State Park, it has become sort of mundane and boring. Yes, there were still some great views, neat shelters and there were the bears that kept it interesting, but it just didn't seem to have its spark any more. I hope with getting into Harper's Ferry and Leo joining me shortly afterwards the spark comes back. I have to be honest in that I feel quite selfish at times being away from home while my wife and family deal with the day to day issues and concerns that come up. Yes, I know they fully support me being here, but at certain times, the thought of going home - where I should be creeps in and I start to question why I'm doing this. I think I know, but I'm not sure its importance outweighs that of my feeling I need to be home fulfilling my family responsibilities. I pray often for guidance on this and will follow whatever direction I am led. In the meantime, I am open to the new experiences that I would never have had if I hadn't taken to the trail and I am truly grateful for the chance.