Date: 2016-05-22
From: Darlington Shelter

To: The Doyle
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Writing this entry on day 16, so it may not be as detailed.Today was a GREAT day. We flew down the trail. We had 10 miles to town. I believe it was slightly rainy, or on and off. I just remember getting a couple blisters this day. I've learned that when my feet get wet and sweaty, my shoes (being waterproof) take longer to dry which breeds blisters for me! However the blisters didn't bother me much today. There were a lot of downhill trails and I just ran down them. At one point I had a little runner's high. I just felt so good. I knew I could do a big day today and get in at least another 5. There was one good overlook today, but the rain clouds made it hard to see in pictures. (Oh yes! Last night, We were also warned of the green bandana hanging from a tree and the scary man camped next to it who had a gun and a machete.. Apparently he was crazy. We were told not to speak to him and stay far away. We were told of his precise location: through the fields, past the parking lot, after the wood bridge.. He's supposedly camped off in the back. Well, we got there, I see the bandana and fiber starts speeding up. I look around and see nothing and I call his name. He turns around and puts his fingers to his mouth shushing me, I mouth the words, "im scared!" Back to him and he turns around and waves his hand at me to come on. I looked to the left where I was told he was and saw nothing but an empty patch of flattened grass but I took a pic of the bandana and ran up to fiber to hike at his pace. I never saw the mans tent, but I was informed later by fiber and Baloo that it was right there 10ft off the trail! stonecold didn't see it either. I looked at least 3x for it! Thankfully, we made it out alive with no close encounters)So, we got to town and ate some awesome BBQ that a hiker (the one that warned us of the man near the green bandana) from the last shelter recommended. I can't believe how much I ate today. I had pulled pork sandwich and 1/3rack of ribs. Ate it all up! It was so good! Then we headed to the infamously famous Hotel and restaurant called The Doyle (the rumors say this place is so crappy that the local crackheads won't even stay here lol). We all had a few beers. Charged up our phones. I was playing music on the juke box when fiber walks up and says, "sooo what do you think about staying the night?" I was like omg guys! We said we wouldn't! Lol that's what alcohol will do to you. I was really excited about getting more miles under my belt, but I knew there'd be no convincing them not to stay. So we ordered more rounds and played more songs. Eventually, I went up to take a shower in the god awful bathroom. I made sure not to touch anything and get in and out as much as possible. I used my own towel. Next thing I know I'm drinking from a bottle of even Williams? Idk it looked like knock off Jack D to me, with the guy who repaired the place and "fixed it up real nice" -eesh! And Hootie and maybe Big O.. Can't remember who else was with us. They left the room and me in there with the old dude named Indian. We're sitting on my bed and I felt instantly creeped out. Luckily he didn't overstay his welcome and I went back downstairs to join the party. I think we drank so more then headed to the pizza place down the street. Stonecold and I ordered a large pizza. I can't believe we ate allBut a slice and a half! The hiker hunger comes on strong! I played some pool with Obi and Wet Beard, had one more drink then pretty much called it a night. Stonecold and I went back to our room and we watched Game of Thrones. I passed out immediately, and he went out to hang with the boys on the porch. Oh and England and Baloo went to the strip club after the pizza place. Lol they really lived it up!It was a scummy hotel room but it was cheap and I slept SO comfortably. I prob hogged the bed but I don't even care lol. Today was a fun day, im glad we stayed at that crazy place. I enjoyed it despite waking up inches away from black crusty boogers on the wall. :PFollow my SNOG for daily updates and pics. Snapchat username: saylind.vettloThanks for reading! Remember who you are.