Date: 2016-03-29
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Lots of questions today. After yesterday's day of extended mileage and wind, I wondered whether I was up to hiking similar miles today. Then there were the questions of where Blues Brother and Fresh Ground were and where they intended to hike to today. I think Blues Brother is behind me by one shelter. Fresh Ground is probably one or two shelters ahead. How does this fit in with the "hike your own hike" mentality? I like hiking with both of them and this will be my third day essentially hiking solo.Then there was the question of my need to resupply since I started the morning with one dinner in my backpack so I knew I needed to get into town for trail food and take the opportunity to enjoy all kinds of foods when I am in town.With a 23 mile goal, I started hiking at 7:30. The initial climb up Chestnut Flats was graded nicely and let me take complete strides as I hiked. Once that summit was reached, the descent began to a level lower than the morning's starting point. I currently move faster downhill than uphill so I made good mileage in the first few hours. Downhill can be slower because of the strain put on knees and the need to not trip going downhill which could easily lead to a fall.The doe shown in the picture seemed to be as curious about me as I was about it. Medic came flying by almost trotting down the trail. Strong hikers can really move quickly on most of the trail between Old Orchard Shelter and Patnership Shelter because the trail is primairily dirt without tree roots and rocks that require slower hiking.The final climbs of the day got the better of me but fortunately I came upon Dan and Sage, a father and daughter from Maryland who were completing their section hike from Damascus. They were both seasoned hikers, who quite frankly seemed far more experienced than me. We hiked in to Partnership Shelter together talking about our hiking experiences and their upcoming May 1st plan to hike for one month from the AT's southern terminus (Springer Mountain). The final miles were a lot easier with their company.Lucky for me, Medic had ordered a pizza to be delivered to him at Partnership Shelter (one of the few places along the AT where warm food is available at a shelter) and the driver readily agreed to give me a ride to Marion. Lots of choices in Marion as this community is much bigger than the previous trail towns I've been in to resupply. I ate at a Pizza Hut so that I could get a couple plates of salad in addition to getting a pizza with plenty of toppings. I did my resupply at Walmart and just need a couple things from Marion's outfitted store in the morning before returning to the AT.This was one of my more confusing days out here. I hiked the miles but find myself still wondering about how to get reunited with Blues Brother and how we might consider hiking to catch up to Fresh Ground. These questions and my awareness of my desire to hike with AT family shouldn't surprise me given my past enjoyment with them, Subman & Suds, and Spirit Of 76 but I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge how disproportionately important reuniting with them has become. Guess I'll figure this out in the next day or so.With Internet access available in Marion I was able to speak with Beth and upload pictures from the past few days. Wish I had taken better photos in Grayson Highlands State Park. It was so beautiful there and I don't think the photos I took adequately display its beauty. Lots to work out and lots of miles ahead.