Date: 2011-05-18
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: The Plaza Motel Pearisburg
Miles today: 16.4

Well today was a short day compared to lately but very needed. Relaxing, summer gear, laundry, and shower. Woke up to it still raining this morning but finally quit around 5:30. Because I wanted to get to the post office quick I packed up and ate quickly. Right out of the gate I had a huge climb with blisters that where screaming. My socks where dry from last nights drying but that lasted less than an hour before I grassy field fixed that. Oh well at least I got a little bit. The only shelter before town was right in the middle of the day and arrived there after a few hours. Took a meal and got cold so took off walking. I forced myself to walk my normal morning pace and that actually seemed to make the blisters better. I think it was because at that speed I had to walk normally and not try to prevent the blistering. I was also really just wanting to get to town and see if my maildrop was in and what I would be doing. On the last section the sun made a short lived appearance of about five minutes. Was uplifting of the spirits but only lasted till the black clouds rolled in this afternoon. The last two miles before town was straight down and those are some of worse parts on the body especially the knees. In town I went straight to the post office and my box had arrived, wohoo. Because it had arrived I needed to sort though it and decide what else I needed food wise, so I got a hotel room for the evening near to the PO and food lion. Dropped off my stuff and went to an ayce chinese and had a huge plate of salad vegetables and fruit, two plates of the normal meat Dishes, and one plate of desserts. Stopped by the food lion and got a two liter for the evening along with some tape and vaseline to rub on my feet to prevent them from shriviling up. Hopefully this will help. Went back to the room and gave my laundry to the motel clerk who does your laundry for you. Then I took a long hot bath and scrubbed all the dirt off my feet. Laundry was brought back to me and I dressed in my normal clothes and went to food lion to fill in the holes of food for this section. Also got a pint of Ben and Jerrys for dinner and 6 filled krispy creme donuts for breakfast. Back in the room I sorted and dryed all my gear, dryed my shoes in front of the heater, packed my food bag and decided what to send home. I got my 40 degree bag and saved a pound there and a lot of room. Also traded my mattress for my Neoair and saved a half pound. My current pad is an insulated pad and a little heavier that I use for cold nights that the neoair can't handle. The down side is it leaks, my mom searched for holes before she sent it but couldn't find any. I filled the tub with water and aired up the mattress really full and began searching. What I found is what I thought might be the case and will have to call Cascade Designs tomorrow and see if I can get it replaced. The leak which is actually about a billion of them is at all the seems, tiny bubbles would seep out all over. I bought the pad right after they came out and unfortunately the early models had some issues, will have to see if mine was one of those and hopefully can get it replaced quickly. Luckily there is a serial number of sorts to determine if it is one of the bad ones. Bad thing is they don't open till 8 PCT, which means 11 tomorrow before I can call. Along with those items I sent home some spare rope that I had from buying a new bear line cord. Also sending home my rain pants. I haven't worn the pants in ages as they just make you really sweaty, the jacket does too but it also provides warmth which the legs don't need, they produce enough heat walking anyways even in much colder weather. Now just laying hear watching the weather channel and the continued forecast for tons of rain with an occasional partly cloudy day. Not going to get my shoes here since I would need to find a ride 24 miles to another town, instead I called the next town with an outfitter and they have what I want so just going to get new shoes in another four or five days. Tomorrow will probably be a short day with calling on my pad and sending gear home. Maybe I can avoid some early rain and get some good miles in anyways, at least get the brutal climb out of town finished. Only three days behind the rest now plus any amount I don't do if I make it a short day. Might actually catch them right after the next town in about six days or so. Will be fun to walk into camp that evening. It has been fun for me to put in the miles and catch up, though the rain has really been brutal on my feet. Time to sleep it is already midnight now.