Date: 2015-05-15
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 15.6

No cows last night, just the distant hum of I-77. I was up far and high enough away to barely notice it but when signs of civilization are rare they tend to stand out.I told myself that today was no hurry. I wanted to catch an extra hour of sleep just because I could. With less than 16 miles to go I knew I'd be early no matter what. Well, the sun rose and so did I. By 7:15 I was packed and gone.The trail was mostly ridgeline all the way with the exception of a couple of road crossings. After the first road the trail headed up Brushy Mountain (the 3rd so far in Virginia). A half mile from the top someone had gathered up sticks and spelled out what I was anticipating. 600 miles. Ever since Hot Springs these hundred mile markers are flying by. I feel good but I'm worried about going too fast. I've always heard stories of people breaking down in the Whites. Walking 1800 miles will do that to your body. I just don't want it to happen to mine. I got to Jenny Knob Shelter to test the durability of the privy. It's the first metal seat I've seen on one. Not only was it hard to convince myself to put skin on the cold seat but the writing on the wall about that cold seat taunted me the entire time. Nothing like a good poop story. It's been a while. I've started noting privy visits in the shelter logs. Someone actually brought it up to me this afternoon. Hilarious.It was about 11:15 when I left the shelter and with 6.5 miles to go I didn't want to bother with my food bag. By the time I finished the 2.3 miles to the 2nd road I was pretty much out of gas. Bad decision and I still sat there at the bottom of the 600 foot climb not wanting to dig around for something to eat when real food was now 5.3 miles away.My attitude went to crap by the time I got to the top and meandered across the ridge. When I got to this really great suspension bridge at the bottom I was in a bad way. Once I got to the road the skies darkened and it started to sprinkle. I hustled the last half mile into the store.Once there I grabbed two double cheeseburgers, fries, Gatorade, and a mountain dew. I felt perfect after all of that. Sometimes town day can be tough because camp food sounds awful. I need to do better next time.They also have showers and laundry here and I knew I was smelling pretty bad. No reason to open Mrs. Rock Boat up to that part of thru-hiking. The shower was interesting at best. I'm glad I kept the shampoo and body wash from Marion as soap wasn't provided. Part way through I realized the shower head had an adjustable nozzle and as I flipped between settings the plumbing came apart and water went everywhere. Luckily it was all external so I was able to get it back together.Around 6:00 the Wife showed up to snatch me off the trail. Being in a car is strange these days. We spent the drive discussing my trail beard and how she thinks I should cut it. Not gonna happen.We got to Wytheville, checked in to the hotel and I started uploading pictures. I'll add some to the journal this weekend. I also spoke with Airlock who sounds like she's doing great. Shes only a couple days behind and it would be awesome for her to catch up.I also had a second shower because, let's be honest, one just doesn't quite get the stank off. Deodorant and my normal clothes are always a nice touch as well.We grabbed a long dinner and now it's way past hiker midnight. Not sure what's on tap tomorrow but no hiking until Sunday. Should be in Pearisburg on Monday then off to Daleville.Karen Deane was asking about Trail Days. Trail Days is a festival every May in Damascus, VA to celebrate the AT. They have tons of vendors and events and it's really just a giant party. There's even a thru hiker parade. As a current thru hiker I probably should have gone but I just wasn't interested in partying. From what I've heard it sounds like the guys are having a great time though. That town goes from something like 1000 people to 20,000 in a weekend. It's crazy. I may go next year just to check it out.