Date: 2017-06-16
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to no rain, which always increases the odds of me making it out of my tent and starting my day. Forecast called for more storms today but I was reminded yesterday of the potential inacurasy of weather reports. I almost stopped for the day at the first shelter because I had been hearing thunder on my tail all morning. I had only traveled 8 miles though and it was 1:30pm so I pushed on. I hate walking along these ridges when I'm expecting a storm, but then again, this entire trail is a ridgeline, so it's impossible to avoid. I seemed to outwalk the storm today. I always heard the rumbles of thunder in the distance but after 17 miles of walking I seemed to be in the clear.It is so hot and humid today that my clothes are completely saturated with salt water. This is the most irritated my skin has ever been but I'm going to keep walking. I hobbled to the second shelter, ready to spend the night, but my friends TBD and Tarzan convinced me to push three more miles to a river. The miles were fairly flat today as we paralleles the Blue ridge parkway so I was able to hike 17 miles without too much trouble. Maybe I'm also getting better at zoning out and cruising despite the pains. My feet and chaffed skin was killing me by the time I arrived at camp but the swim was worth the push. It also feels good to be staying on track with the pace I set for myself. I got in the water as soon as I arrived to the creek. I left my clothes on so I could simultaneously do laundry. I need to change my system for hiking clothes when I get a chance because these shorts never retain way too much moisture. My skin is hurting right now but I made an antichaffe salve that will fix this over night. Now I just need to figure out how to avoid this happening again everyday. I refuse to wear those shorts again until they're dry. There's a good group camped here tonight. Sloth and Swamp Donkey both started the same day I did, April 4th. I've also know TBD and Tarzan since early on (leaving NOC). It's crazy how we're all traveling independently but somehow manage to maintain a similar pace, even after 2.5 months! We all hitched to a gas station to grab some snacks. It was fun to ride in the truck bed and have a breeze on my face. While I often mutter to myself, wondering how I've ended up in such miserable situations (like my hike today), I equally as often notice and point out the contrasting comfort that periodically comes my way. I was quite comfortable this evening in the truck bed and taking the several river dips. I saw a bear today while hiking. Comical timing after my dialogue regarding hanging my food last night. I also had a brief encounter with a local parked along the blue ridge highway. He asked if everything was going alright, insinuating that he'd be willing to help if I needed something. As much as I'd been cursing to myself about my superficial pains and struggles up until that point, I told him that I was fine and doing well. As you all know, I'm not afraid to admit my weaknesses and my response proved to myself that I did not deem my complaints worthy of making me end my day early.