Date: 2015-10-16
From: US 250, Waynesboro

To: US 250, Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I pictured myself laying in a bunk bed all day resting my legs and eating fresh fruit and vegetables in between naps, but as usual my zero day ended up being a chore day. Catching up on my journal, emails and phone calls eats up a lot of time. I also love chatting with other hikers and hearing their stories. There is a steady stream of SOBO'S coming through. They are really pushing the mileage to finish before the bitter cold arrives. It concerned me enough to spend some time crunching numbers to see how many miles per day I have to average to get to Springer by Christmas, preferably December 20. It will be pushing if for me, and I really don't want to miss any incredible experiences I might have by marching too many miles too fast. I am striving for balance and will still journey one step at a time living in the present moment but keeping in mind the potential consequences of hiking and sleeping in frigid weather.  I have the utmost of respect and awe for anyone starting their thru-hike in rugged Maine. The northern end was brutal for me. Adam who runs Stanimal's Hostel gave all of us a green wrist band that reads Appalachian Trail Georgia to Maine. I plan to wear mine every day until I finish Maine and summit Katahdin. This hostel is awesome and I highly recommend it! Stanimal is Adam's trail name from when he hiked the AT and PCT. Adam dropped Fire Fox and I off at the the intersection where we walked to a bagel shop and had breakfast. It was here that I learned the price of eggs have skyrocketed since I've been on the trail. Something about the Avian flu. It also looks like the price of gas has dropped to under $2 a gallon.  Wow! I am usually a news junkie, probably from working at a newspaper for so many years, but I am realizing the benefits of being uninformed of the goings on in the world for the most part and having my days guided by sunrise, sunset and the weather. This time in the woods is so precious to me, and it will impact me for the rest of my life.I next did some grocery shopping at Kroger's and somehow walked out with five bags of groceries which I had to carry back to the hostel.   I bought a rotisserie chicken and lots of salad for lunch and dinner at the hostel. I shared with Beetle and we had a fantastic dinner with chicken, salad, strawberries, soft swiss cheese, hummus and chips with quinoa and several seeds, and popcorn drizzled in dark chocolate. What a feast and great company! We were the only girls and all the male hikers congregated upstairs in a large group. We weren't sure if it's because we are both Grandma's and old enough to be their mothers. A full hostel tonight.  The weather is getting colder which makes a warm hostel even more appealing.I am going to slackpack tomorrow which means Adam will drive me to a trail head south of here, and I will hike north back to Rockfish Gap. The plan is I will call him when finished, and he will pick me up. I've only done this a few times and haven't been much faster.  I am apprehensive because for logistics I have to do 19.2 miles which will be my second longest day thus far, and I am worried about finishing before dark. Adam will give me a loaner backpack to use for food and water, etc. The other two guys slackpacking are going 30 which will be their longest day as well. I hope they don't pass me too soon.  They both slackpacked all through the Whites and Wildcat and are big slackpacking fans. I didn't even know you could slackpack in those areas. I will never forget navigating that tough terrain and hand over hand climbing with 35 pounds on my back.It is 11pm, and I'm still up. My alarm is set for 6am even though I won't need it. Big day for me tomorrow, but I will be able to take a hot shower, wash my clothes and sleep in a comfy bed again when finished.