Date: 2023-03-20
From: 3 level shelter 

To: Cornelius Creek 
Miles today: 4.9

3/20, Monday Had a great night at this little motel. It was clean, spacious and comfortable. Got a bath last night and a shower this morning. This place is lacking a few things, however: no Wi-Fi, no microwave in the room, no coffee in the room or at the checkout desk! But I grabbed a cup of joe at the gas station down the hill and nursed it while we walked the 3-4 miles into the small town of Buchanan. Not much was open when we arrived but the library was welcoming and had a coffee pot. So we spent some time there talking with some locals and helping finish a jigsaw puzzle. After a couple of hours we wandered over the dollar store and grabbed a few things. As we were making our way back to the main part of town Abe called so we met Cay and him at the town park. We discussed the plan for the day while Abe and I repacked our bags. The day turned out to be pleasant and warm after the morning wind died down. About 2pm, we drove off to park the Prius about 100 miles up the trail then we all loaded up in Cay¢s car to get dropped off where Snoopy and I ended our hike yesterday. Abe¢s pack is not too big but super tall. He is still figuring out the best way to pack it and distribute the load, etc. We hiked about 5 miles to Cornelius Creek shelter and called it a night! It¢s so nice to finally be on the trail with Abe.Abe- Monday, March 20th, 2023Procrastinated on packing my bag, classic. My partner isn¢t happy with me, it¢s taken too long for me to pack, unpack, and pack my bag again. My back hurts from leaning over and shuffling over the same macaroni to the corner, then back to the middle, back to the corner. ¢Should I even bring the macaroni noodles?¢ I ask myself. Turns out, the jet boil system doesn¢t like holding a rolling boil for too long. Ends up being 2 bucks a boil, that¢s some spendy macaroni. Not even Mac and cheese, I forgot the cheese powder at homeThe night ends finally with me rolling into my partners late at nite, 1-2 am. We wake up at 7 to get to Virginia as quickly as possible. The original alarm was for 5 but after the alarm handoff (we have been practicing), we ended up finally leaving. I smash some 5 day old meatloaf, don¢t worry it passed the smell test, and have a cup of joe. ¢let¢s roll¢ I yammer to my partner, who is infinitely more prepared the. I am, and I have a 40 pound backpack. We take two cars up north, playing race cars all the way up I-26. We didn¢t stop for pals for once. I am chugging water, trying to rehydrate just a smash more before heading on the AT (Appalachian trail.) That translates into me peeing, often. I eventually just start pissing in bottles in the car to save time. Finally, we get there, Buchanan, Virginia. It¢s a Monday but a practical ghost town. We grab my dad, chuck, and head north after a quick gear shake down. I ended up borrowing a fleece from my partner, lady clothes look good on me, repackaging food into small ziplocks, and downloading an episode of my favorite podcast. After dropping the other car off, we hit the trail.  My legs are tired immediately. We only did around 5 miles but it¢s mostly uphill. At the peak of the last mountain was one of the most unbelievable sunsets I have been seen, my dad looks accustomed but the pure wonder that beautiful dying light sheds on even an ugly mug like mine, is mind boggling. Finally, we set up in Cornelius creek shelter. I am so appreciative to be out here. I have some planter fasciitis I¢m working out, so lots of before and after massaging was necessary. It feels good overall. Feeling bad about slowing down dads pace, I find myself apologizing too often. I need to work on that, and my breathing, and get rid of this gut. But, it¢s all new and exciting! From the camp set up, bear hang, cooking with the jet boil, journaling, the mice skittering around, peeing anywhere, the list goes on and on. Lots of fun. My shoulders are just sore, Crashing hard, I tell my dad I love him. Day one done