Date: 2007-06-01
From: Stealth Site after VA 16, VA

To: Sealth Site 3 miles past Partnership Shelter VA
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy June everyone! Wow, what another GREAT day. I was so pleased with how smoothly yesterday went, I decided to try to get up 30 min. earlier (@ 6:00 a.m.) because the sun is coming up earlier now.I woke up with it 61 degrees in my hammock. The most comfortable nite I've had yet. However, something was out there last nite! I don't think it was a bear, but maybe a deer? I was up and off by 7:23 a.m. Another beautiful day with a lot of tree coverage, so it keeps the temps cooler. I saw 2 deer and 3 toads today. Lots of toads are out for some reason. As I type this @ 7:23 p.m., I can hear something out in the leaves! It's funny how "big" a tiny animal can sound in the woods. LOLAnd of course, I always manage to convince myself it's some HUGE beast out there. I was sort of lost in my thoughts today for most of the day. The forest looks pretty much the same, but there was one spot where it opened up to a cow field, and that was gorgeous (cow patties and all).I saw a total of 4 hikers today, actually on the trail. The first person, oddly enough, was Baltimore Jack! He was hiking SOBO to Damascus. He didn't recognize me, but I told him he'd made breakfast for me @ Ms. Janet's. He was in rare form, sporting his 50lb pack, a lit cigarette in one hand and his hiking poles in the other. He told me it was "flat to Partnership Shelter." He had to have been screwing around, because there is no such thing as flat out here. LOLI also talked to a man who was getting his fishing pole out of his truck, when I crossed VA 670. He was very nice, probably retired, and he asked if I was hiking alone (after some conversation). I told him it was this point that I'm supposed to say no, because he may be an axe murderer or serial killer, but he didn't strike me as the type. LOL We both got a big kick out of that.Thunder was rumbling all afternoon, and I was just waiting for it to open up, but it never did. I was shooting for Partnership Shelter, but got there so early (2:30 p.m.) that I couldn't talk myself into staying.This shelter is famous for 2 reasons. First it has a solar heated shower, and when I took one, I think it was all out of solar! FREEZING cold water..brrrr, but I didn't care. It still felt great to get the grime off.The second reason it is famous is because you can walk down to the visitor's center and use the pay phone to order pizza. My dilemma was that it was too early for dinner, and I really wanted to keep hiking, so I'm probably the first thru-hiker in history to NOT order pizza there.There was a strange group of people there, and I didn't like the vibe I was getting. This shelter is right by a road, so all kinds of people use it. Despite the thunder, I decided to move on. I'm going to be resupplying in Atkins, VA tomorow, which is a day earlier tha I thought I'd be there, so that's awesome. It works out because taking one more day would mean Sunday, when everything is closed.I must say I'm really liking this flow that I seem to be getting down. I'm finally able to do higher miles and still be asleep by 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. I hope it keeps up.I found an awesome stealth site about 3 miles past Partnership Shelter, VA. I'm alone again, and will admit I really like that too. Just something very empowering about knowing you can handle yourself out here. Still obsessing about spaghetti and meatballs! LOL Maybe Atkins will have a place that offers it. I'm planning on getting in there, resupplying, and getting out. Wanna keep hiking.Tonight I tried something new. While I let my water for dinner come to a boil, I started setting up camp. It worked really well actually, so if I can't cook before I get to camp, I'll start doing it this way.It was another wonderful day, and I'm beat. It's 69 degrees @ 7:47 p.m.Goodnite all.~Certain