Date: 2018-09-14
From: Tucker's Lane

To: Compton Gap trail/ Front Royal Terrapin Station hostel
Miles today: 12.2

I got to sleep in a little as we slack packed today, leaving the hostel at 8:30. For breakfast I had oatmeal and coffee then loaded up my day pack with the necessary items for a wet 12 mile hike. The AT is officially closed from VA to GA right now so I feel like such a rebel breaking the rules but I want to close the gap. We'll be hiking .2 into the park and then taking a .5 mile side trail right to the hostel. The forecast was for clouds before 2 and rain after.Mike dropped us off on Tucker's Lane and we hiked out and across 55 and under 66 and back into the woods. At first the rain was just dripping off the trees as we walked thru the endless cloud but by 10am it was a steady rain and our feet were soaked. At least we know that we'll be able to get clean and dry at the end of the day. Eddyman brought dry socks to change into half way thru the day but I'm not optimistic that it'll make any difference. We saw a few deer and another turtle today, a woman walking her dog and only one other rebel hiker headed nobo. It was very quiet. It rained thru lunch and Eddyman's feet were talking to him so while we rested I threw out option B. We could hike another .8 to Route 255 and hitch a ride to town, eat, get groceries and take a cab to the hostel leaving us 3.8 miles short of the park and the 12 miles we wanted. I made it his decision, which he said he'd think about as we hiked out towards the road crossing. I couldn't stand the thought of my tuna packet so I had a small snack and daydreamed about fast food. His dry socks became a lost cause within 5 minutes as we had no way around a section with huge puddles. He almost slipped off a bog board and I dreamed further about the food thinking he'd surely want a shorter day now. As we got to the road a man was walking up with something in his hand to post. "Wheat" just finished the trail 2 weeks ago and was posting his information on the trail so he could help hikers out with a place to stay and rides to town while the trail is closed and the rain continues. Eddyman said he wanted to hike on as originally planned dashing my dreams of food. I'm not feeling so hot today but the rain has let up so I'm being optimistic. I know I'll feel better not leaving the miles to hike later. We thanked Wheat for helping hikers and crossed the road to find the closure signs posted at the trail there. We walked on past and up the ascent we knew we'd have. About 10 minutes in I head Eddyman exclaim "Shit" behind me and I stopped to see what it was about. He was upset that we didn't play our cards differently with Wheat who would have absolutely given us a ride to town for lunch and back to the trail. Damn. I could be sucking on a KFC chicken bone right now was my thought. But I still had a tuna packet lurking in my bag and I was trying to get myself closer to it. I'm feeling depleted. As we slogged up the 3.8 miles of ascent the rain and rocks picked up. My speed intensified because I just wanted to be done and back at the hostel. I can't stomach another day of pruned feet and with the park closed we know we're off tomorrow. I finished the steeper rocky climb at the top and we were inside the park for .2 before the side trail was upon us. I didn't wait for Eddyman, I was on a mission and I couldn't be done fast enough. I hit the door of the hostel and breathed a sigh of relief but I was so hungry! After my shower and dry clothes I ate crackers (but not the tuna) and felt somewhat restored. Mike came in and drove us into town for BBQ at Pave-Mint BBQ which was fantastic. It was around 4:30 so we felt like senior citizens out for the early bird special with discount and laughed at that. I enjoyed a beer with my brisket and chicken but still not feeling 100% I took a doggie bag. It's Mike's birthday so Eddyman bought his dinner and then Mike drove us to the grocery store. Ah, fresh fruit and vegetables will be wonderful! We decided on about 3 days of fresh food not knowing when the park would open or the rain would stop. Mike plugged in the fridge for us in the hostel and we put our loot in it. I turned in at 9pm. Just the quiet hum of the dehumidifier drying out our boots.... again. And I can sleep in tomorrow!