Date: 2014-05-06
From: Spring / Campsite at 600.5

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 30.8

Okay, lets see if I can catch you guys up on the last three days.5/6/14 20.4 miles5/7/14 10.4 milesFirst, 5/5/14. 24.8 miles. I thought I'd come back and explain why I did a 24.8 mile day. Lets just say, no water on the trail. We had water out to about 6 miles that day then nothing for sure for the next 19 or so miles. Plus I thought it would be an easy 24.8. That did not happen either. What looked like a relatively easy walk turned out to be rocky, and I mean rocky. So by the end of the day I was toast. The best part of the day was when we reached Laurel Creek there was Trail Magic waiting there. The New Hope Community Church puts on a huge all you can eat breakfast every Monday for the hikers. They even pick you up at the trail, then shuttle you back there too. Overly stuffed I might add. It was so good, and the people at the church were so gracious. The next 20 miles were dry and hot. When I arrived at the Helveys Mill Shelter at about 6 pm it was empty, and you would have needed a sponge to get water out of the water source there, so I sucked it up and hiked on another mile to the camp site and spring at mile 600.5 where I figured the others had gone. There was water there, and 19 and Bubba were already tenting so I joined them.5/06/14 20.4 miles. Yesterday went very well and although the rocks continued the trail was okay. The worst part of the day was the heat. There was another no name mountain that totally kicked my butt, and as I finally reached the top there sat my Old Buddy Tank, who I hadn't seen since Hot Springs. He and a couple other hikers were just finishing there break so I sat down and took mine. I caught them before they reached the road to Woods Hole Hostel and joined them there for the night. Woods Hole is a very unique place, and is best described as a "communal" living hostel. Mike and Neville run this place and is a must stay for all hikers.5/07/14 10.4 miles. We had a wonderful breakfast at Woods Hole this morning, but it was after 9 am before I got started. As always there was a climb up but not a bad one. Today I had to finally face the fact that both my feet were hurting, and that every step was painful. The last 3 days have been so bad that I have been wondering what has happened. Johnathan at Appalachian Outfitters in Greenville SC had told me that over time my feet would get bigger so I guess that is where I am. My boots feel like they are to small for my feet. My 4th and 5th toes on both feet are bruised and red. Every step down hill is well just to much. So I have neroed here to Pearisburg in hopes of finding a cure for the boots and feet. My options are few but we'll see how things work out. I will talk to Johnathan in the morning and make my final decision. Either to continue on with my current boots, or get a shuttle to Blacksburg, VA in the morning to buy new boots. My feet have never hurt like this before, and I haven't had a single blister or any foot problems so far. It's just amazing that my feet and boots turned on me in just 3 days.The best part is that it hasn't dampened my spirits at all. I am still loving this and having a wonderful time. Just got to fix the feet.