Date: 2023-09-22
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Charlottesville, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Google Photos Photo AlbumDay 100AT miles 0Miles hiked 0AT Hostel, Millinocket to Charlottesville Travel day. The northbound journey is over and now it¢s back to my starting point to head south to Springer. The NOBOs are all finalizing their post-hike plans or lamenting the fact that their hikes are over and they still haven¢t figured out what¢s next. Or, just sad that their hikes are over. For all the excitement there¢s also a cloud of sadness as we all say our farewells and wish each other luck in whatever comes next.Sleep last night was restless as I was packing and repacking in my mind to make sure I was straight for the day. Apparently, I was not alone as Buzzsaw was already up making coffee at 5:00 AM and trying to get himself organized as well. Packing went smoothly as I had practice packed in my head most of the night. Ranger Rick and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and talked about our flips and meeting someplace in Virginia. Ranger Rick was heading to Atkins, VA and heading north to Rockfish Gap. I was headed back to Rockfish and heading south. Silver Back had joked that we¢d high five each other on the trail as we passed each other.By 5:30 AM almost everybody else in the hostel was up getting ready. We all planned to eat breakfast at the Appalachian Cafe which opened at 7:00 AM. We made it. The place was very hiker friendly, the portions were more than generous, the service was excellent, and most importantly, the food was homemade and delicious.Walking back to the hostel I saw Firetower and his girlfriend along with Ape Man. They wished me well on the final leg of my journey and I told them I hoped to see them again in Virginia after my hike was over.After breakfast Silver Back and I made a quick trip to the general store to get snacks for the trip. Back at the hostel the mood was more somber as we said goodbye to the hikers who were leaving later. Then we loaded up and shuttled to Medway to catch a bus to whichever airport we were leaving from. Silver Back and I were departing from Bangor.It was a quiet bus ride to Medway. Once at Medway it was a mile to the airport. We considered calling an Uber but decided what¢s one more mile and walked to the airport. After hiking with Silver Back for most of the past 700 miles it was going to be hard to say goodbye. He¢d become a pretty good friend and it was certainly going to be different hiking without him.It was time for my flight. Not being good at saying goodbye I did the best I could then boarded my plane. Hopefully we¢ll hike together again someday.I got to Charlottesville without incident. The plan was to get a hotel, dinner, then resupply the next day and hopefully be on the trail the day after. With any luck Robin, Tiffany, and Raina would be able to come see me before I head south.The smooth transition hit a snag in Charlottesville when I had an incredibly hard time finding a hotel room and an impossible time getting a Lyft or Uber. There was a home UVA game and all the hotels were booked or incredibly expensive. I finally found an affordable hotel which was in walking distance of a Wal-Mart and near a 7-11 and Mexican restaurant. Now how to get there. It was pouring rain and the ride apps kept timing out. Then a taxi pulled up in front of the airport. Soon enough I was on my way. I got to the hotel, and watched angry people berate the desk person who barely understood English for not having any rooms. Not his fault. I got checked in then went over to the restaurant for dinner. Got there just before closing and got my meal to go then stopped at 7-ll for snacks and went back to my room. After eating I started planning my southbound hike and what I needed for resupply. The weather forecast for the next day was a tropical storm. Great. My second of the trip. Glad I was hiking in that.I called Robin then went to bed. I don¢t know what it is about beds but I¢m having a hard time sleeping in them.Hiking the Dream!