Date: 2018-09-19
From: Front Royal Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Stealth site
Miles today: 17.6

I awoke in the middle of the night to the loud sound of tearing and rustling plastic. The sound it makes when you open a package of salteens or oyster crackers. I looked over at Eddyman's bunk across the room but he was still. I rolled over on my side for a better look and the noise stopped. Maybe I was hearing things or dreaming. I closed my eyes and within seconds it started again. I grabbed my phone and got up and the noise stopped once more. I turned on the flashlight app and looked around Eddyman's bunk where I thought the noise was coming from and saw nothing so I went back to bed. A few minutes later it started again and as soon as I sat up it stopped. Eventually the pattern ended and I went back to sleep. I woke at 5 and lingered in bed until 6:15 then showered and got ready. Eddyman was up when I came back to the bunk room and I mentioned the commotion last night which he slept thru. There was a package of toasted crackers with peanut butter at the foot of his bunk on the platform. He examined them and sure enough one cracker had been partially eaten. Our last night at the hostel and apparently we weren't the only ones seeking refuge from hurricane Florence but I don't think this one is a paying guest. Perhaps he'll keep River company when she gets here on Friday. We had breakfast and left the hostel at 7:30 walking the half mile trail back to the AT where we'd left off. We then climbed Mt Marshall and I was feeling weak and nauseous. I tried to hike through and push myself but it made me feel as though I'd faint so I sat on a log at the corner of a switchback and rested. When I neared the top Eddyman was headed back down looking for me. I was really struggling and I wasn't sure if it's because my body is fighting this infection or if it's side effects of the antibiotics. We stopped at gravel springs hut for lunch and I couldn't eat much, having no appetite. I managed to get an avocado and a few chips in me and I layed on the shelter floor on my tyvek to rest for about 40 minutes. The goal today is 15.4 to the Wayside and then grab the closest stealth site we can. The trail is in really good shape and normally I would be able to do 23 miles right to Luray but I'm feeling so ill. We stopped at Elkwallow wayside where I bought an ice cream and a Gatorade. I ate most of the ice cream but couldn't finish it and packed out my Gatorade. I thought since there was a privy and a spring within .6 of the wayside we'd find a stealth site within that area but we didn't. After a mile and a half with an ascent Eddyman found a spot that would work and we set up our tents in between close trees which is a pain. It was 6:30 when I crawled into bed without dinner. I drank my Gatorade and water and went to sleep. Whatever insects that live in the forest here are they certainly are loud. I fell asleep listening to their steady beat. I'm concerned. I'm feeling so drained and the terrain here is so easy compared to what I've done. I'm disappointed with my body. I'm so much stronger than this. Tomorrow we only have 7 miles to get to Luray and I hope I'm feeling better.