Date: 2018-05-03
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was a very hot day - unseasonably hot. The normal average temperature is in the 70's, it was 88 degrees in the shade. The trail was very nice coming out of Rocky Run. I got a later start than I wanted. I woke up at 5:30, then promptly fell asleep until 6:50! Not my normal time to get up. At home, I am at the gym at 5am... speaking of which...A shout out to my CrossFit family at Light The Fire Crossfit in Monroe! I've been training there since October 2015 and feel I have a good base of strength to work from for this journey. Thanks to the 5am crew for the nice send off and thoughtful gifts (that don't weigh a lot) after my last workout before leaving town. You are the best! I also sprinkled in a bit of Bikram yoga for my physical preparation.Anyway...getting up late is not good when it's going to be hot. Add in the fact that I'm still in "organizing" mode, since I didn't do a "shake down" hike adds to the slowness in getting ready in the morning. Efficiency is about simplicity, and having a system.  Everyone has their own system, and everyone has to figure out what system works for them. Some people organize gear by stuff sacks, some simply stuff items into their packs to fill spaces, food is organized different ways - by day, by meal ect. I have talked to other hikers and it's the same for most people, constantly reworking their system. Even some of the hikers who have come 1,000 miles from Georgia say they are still working on their system. Part of the organizing is figuring out what you need and don't need, sending the things you don't need home. It's took much weight. Things have to be put where they make sense, then you have to remember where you put it!  So needless to say, I am organizing while I am packing, which slows me down.After taking off from Rocky Run, I had a 1.8 mile hike to Dahlgren Back Pack Campground, where there was running water, and free showers! It was hot...I took full advantage of the shower, soaked my shirt in cold water, and got back on the trail. Nice! Hard Knocks came into the campground just before I left. He started hiking in Georgia in January. Wind Eagle also came in. She was waiting for delivery of a supply box that someone was bringing in. It was another 1.8 miles to Washington Monument State Park where I came across the Canadians sitting under a shade tree. It was sometime around noon, and the heat was brutal, especially carrying a backpack. We all sat under a tree for the entire afternoon. They took off about an hour before me, and I starting hiking after 4 1/2 hours. After leaving the park area, the trail led up to the original Washington Monument. Along the well groomed trail were signs with milestones of George Washington's life. It was a really neat walk for me, especially considering my admiration of George Washington as a leader, having not taken the offer of being a king, opting for democracy. What would our country be like if he had chosen to be king?I took a photo of the monument from the trail. I really wanted to go look at it, but I was so beat down by the heat, even after sitting all afternoon, I couldn't muster up enough gumption to walk up there. Besides, I can drive to the park and go see it another time when I can really take the time to enjoy it - add it to the life list...