Date: 2012-05-08
From: Charlottesville, VA

To: Three Ridges Overlook
Miles today: 18.5

Day 2 off trail was a great rest for my feet. Day 3 I was bored. By day 4 I was itching to be back on trail, restless to do miles, and longing for the woods. Through all the daily aches and dealing with weather, I had started to lose sight of how special the trail was. Of how lucky I was to be on it. Of how very much it inspires me and fills my soul with an indescribable sense of peace. But having time off with nothing to do, I miss the wind, I miss the views, the trees, my hiking friends, the routine of setting up camp, and the feeling of accomplishment when I look back and take in the landscape. Of having the knowledge that I walked as far as I could see. And it was because I wanted to and I could.Luckily I have ever supportive parents who have volunteered to shuttle me today for a slack pack day on the trail. My first day without a full pack! Oh I'm really out of the runnings for a purest version of the hike now. Yellow blazing, slack packing! oh my! Dad and I headed out super early driving the quick 20 minutes up 64 to trail just before you enter Shenandoah National Park. I've decided to head Southbound today and have ambitious hopes of covering 30 something miles.Those plans were quickly shot down as not 2 minutes into my hike I was bent over my poles throwing my guts up. Apparently hiking and strong antibiotics are too much for my stomach to handle. From that point on I was finding it very difficult to keep anything down which meant that i wasn't able to refuel fast enough and was losing energy. the first 6 miles were downhill and I had the chance to leave a note at the shelter and see who I might know that had passed through. I missed Boxhead by just a day. dratz. Just a quick creek crossing and it was time for the big climb of the day over Humpback Mountain. This was kind of a special moment as the other side of the mountain has a very well used outcropping know as Humpback rocks which is essentially my childhood stomping grounds, the location of my first hiking memories, and where I did prep hiking for this adventure. The current side of the mountain I'm hiking is...less fun. Okay that's unfair. It's not the mountains fault that just as I get to it's top a cloud moved in around us, soaking everything and turning it's round rocks into slippery little, pace slowing deathtraps. Alas it looks like I will not be making 30 miles today before dark. But lots of bail out points and hey I have cell signal to arrange a closer pick up point. (By the way, my utter admiration for all those who came before who did this trail without the benefit of cell phones. I can't imagine not having the flexibility they allow or even the ability to call for help like I did a few days ago.) I was disappointed that I wouldn't get more miles in today and frustrated by the difficult terrain, but oh how glorious to be back out on the trail. It feels right. I also ran into familiar faces that I haven't seen since Georgia including the boys from Wisconsin who told me they had eaten the nutella left for me at some shelter south of here by my old girl scout leader. (Thank you by the way) Ha, I figured it wouldn't last long out there. By the end of the day I was physically wiped, still feeling the affects of sickness along with the normal ankle pain of long miles. But I was so satisfied, happy to have miles under my belt again. And spoiled to be picked up by my mom and taken back home to showers, home cooked meals, and my own bed. Yes, i am living in luxury at the moment and am enjoying every last bit. I have my cake and I'm eating it too.