Date: 2016-05-05
From: Atkins VA

To: Atkins VA
Miles today: 0.0

Musings:Note to self - don't sandwich two hard days around a single zero day. Very little rest and recovery Note 2 to self - don't drink Mtn Dew again late at night, as you'll never get back to sleepIn celebration of completing 1/4 of the AT, I ate a quart (and a half) of ice cream and regretted it most of the nightThis is my 1st time to have 2 consecutive zeroes As you may imagine, even though one may not be hiking on a zero day, there is enough work in resupply, cleaning/repairing gear, planning, etc to keep one busy and not get enough rest. My last zero was worthless as I had two strong days on each side of it. That, along with a cold I've been fighting ( and losing) and a nasty wx forecast has me choosing a 2nd zero today. I've contacted Lumpy and we're planning to meet up in Pearisburg   Next week. I'll also plan my next stop in Daleville and will identify mail drops for a first time. We've been hiking, for us, some serious mileage lately, 18-20 mile days   A lot of this was driven by rain and thunderstorms with the desire to lay up in a shelter or town, vice camping in tent. This is probably too many miles for Berk and I plan to drop this back to the 15 mile range. Hopefully about 10 miles in am/early afternoon, long dinner break/rest in mid-late afternoon, and then another 5 late in the dayMail drops: I haven't listed mail drops before for several reasons. first, you need to identify when and where you will be, have a place that accepts mail drops ( and most charge a reasonable fee) and have stuff you need and can't readily find available. Since my next increment was pretty much planned by Lumpy, I'm adding this and my next planned stop to check out mail drops if anyone would like to send us a "care package". First, forget healthy, organic food. Hiker's are big into Max calories per ounce, and next most carbs. Hiker's also like Dollar General stores for such favorites as the 570 cal white iced honey bun, the 2/$1 fried pies at 540 calories and pop tarts at over 400 cal/pkg. But these I can easily get at Dollar General. For Berk, she could use the small size Musher's Secret pad treatment or most any dog treats. I got her a hog femur today and she wasn't too interested in it. For me, Nuun electrolyte tablets, trail mix ( Trader Joes Chocolate, Almond and Cashew are favorites) and dried fruit ( especially pineapple chunks, and for some reason Kroger or HEB is significantly better than TJ's) And if you really want to make my day, a nice maduro would be outstanding. It doesn't have to be a Presidente or Churchill, and don't blab to Libra Lady. And for meals, nothing can beat items from Packit Gourmet (Full Disclosure: I know and consider the owners friends). But don't just take my word for it. PG has won numerous awards and outstanding reviews from Backpacker magazine. Check them out at packitgourmet.comPrayer concerns 1: I learned today that Baltimore Jack passed away yesterday. He was a legend on the AT. I met him 3 times and he was always most helpful. The first meeting I was SOBO in 2009 from Pearisburg and hiking to Damascus. I received word LL had cancer and surgery was imminent. I stopped at the 1st outfitter which catered to bikers and I'll just say charitably that they weren't much help. I then stopped at Mt Rogers Outfitters where Jack was running the shop. He said they were there to help me, they'd close the shop if needed, just tell them what I needed. In 2010, I met Jack at Kincora's where he was helping Bob Peoples. Jack prepared a fabulous meal that evening. And then earlier this year I met him again in Franklin NC where he helped me in trying to get the permit for the GSMNP. Prayers for family and friends. R.I.P. JackPrayer concerns 2: Pastor Nancy is recovering from this am's surgery at Houston Methodist Hospital. Prayers for a speedy recovery I didn't do much today. Went out once for breakfast and again for dinner. The rest of the time was chugging cough syrup and got C pills. Cleaned and organized gear. Made some business calls since I had AT&T coverage for a change. And getting ready to hit the trail again tomorrow I projecting another long break from AC power. I use my phone mostly for AT map application and want to save 20% for emergency use. I then try to mark waypoints at thee d of the day, write my journal entry, and if coverage allows, post the entries. But I'm really expecting it to be quiet over the next few days due to lack of coverage. There are still a lot of hikers on the trail I case I need some assistance. So please don't get too concerned if I'm quiet for a whileTime for bedLife is good!