Date: 2012-04-27
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 33 - Friday, April 27thHiking Days 26 / Nero Days 5 /  Zero Days 2Start Location: Partnership ShelterMile Marker: 530.6Ending Location: Knot Maul Branch Shelter Mile Marker: 556.1Time: 10h 08min + 2.5h at I-81 interchange Miles: 25.5Weather: In the upper level if a shelter so who cares.  Not bad. Warmer and out of wind. Nice for a change.  Storms around midnight but slept through them.  Morning started out cooler, around 45.  Stayed on the pleasant side which made for a great hiking day all day long. Up at 6:00 with my alarm. Was going to stay down for a bit but I could hear people already stirring below and a headlamp is on upstairs as well.  So I got up.  Packed, privy and on the trail at 6:40.  Nice startGoal is to hit the I-81 interchange around 11:00, grab something to eat at the Barn Restaurant and get a few small resupply items.  The trail was muddy from lasts night rain but still made good time.  Did 11 by 11 (actually 11:10 bug close enough). Only one in the entire restaurant.  Ordered coffee, 1/2 pound burger and fries.  On the way in I noticed an electrical receptacle outside by the window.  Since electricians will normally put them back-to-back or at least near each other to save money, I decided to get the table by that window.  Sure enough, there it was.  So I plugged my phone into it while I ate.  Since I was at an interstate exchange area I also knew I would have great phone service.  Yep.  I did.  So now I have my phone charging, updating my journals and sipping on a cup of coffee.  Now that's a score.  After my burger I was still hungry.  So I ordered a second one.  When I was nearly done, Dundee came in ordered the pound hiker burger, ate that and had another 1/2 pounder. Doc and another hiker came in as well.  I suspect Doc may be waiting fit Steve-O but I'm just guessing.  By the time my double lunch was over, my phone was charged, my journals were updated as of yesterday and my stomach was full.  Over to the gas station for a resupply.  As it turned out, both stations were nearly wiped out of hiker resupplies.  What was left was triple the price it should be.  A small pack of tuna was 3.29.  Ramen was $0.79.  Did not need a lot and between the two stores I picked up what I needed.  Just a few item cost me nearly $20. Even my double lunch only cost just over $13.00.  That was much better then my $25 ripoff pizza hut pizza last night. Oh well.  After 2.5 hours at the interchange area I took off.  I still wanted to make the next shelter with nearly 14 more miles to go.  The day was great.  Past through many small pastures between the hills.  With the rain last night the tiny creeks were flowing over the stepping stones so my feet were wet all day.  Even in the lower grassy areas there was pounding and run off so again more wet shoes.  Crossing this one bridge, even the river was over that.  More wet feet.  Even with all this it was a great hiking day.  As it turns out another 25+ mile day.  Even some trail magic about two miles out from my stopping point.  2 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches', a soda and a cookie.  I made a point to drink extra water today since my kidney was screaming at me again today.  After two bottles of water the pain went away.  I knew I was a bit dehydrated and even left my 2-liter soda at the shelter this morning.  I knew I had to stick to water.  I shorted myself water with the recent cold days.  Getting water varies from being trechorous to get or just to Sam cold to deal with.  I'll be better.  In the shelter by 7:20. Late but still light out.  It's nice because there are only two other hikers here.  A dad and his son.  With thunderstorms expected again tonight around midnight, I have opted to stay in the shelter.  I want to hike another big day tomorrow and staring out dry always helps.  Time for bed