Date: 2015-05-16
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: US 60 Long Mountian Wayside
Miles today: 24.0

I slept great last night. I pretty much crashed the second my head hit the pillow. I got up early because I had a lot of miles planned. And I ended up going further than I planned. It was very warm and muggy. The first few mikes went quick. It was along the James River and I got to cross this cool foot bridge. Once on the otherside in had to walk under the train bridge to get back in the woods. It was pretty cool. I got great pictures of both bridges and the water. After that was the climb. It was a beast. Over 3 miles and very steep. I was sweating like crazy. It was horrible. I met a day hiker going up, she was training her new dog to be a trail dog. She said 3 other thru hikers said the climb was horrible so I didn't feel too bad anymore. On some of the climbs I get frustrated, I feel like I should be able to handle then better, especially since I've been out here for 2 months. But some of these climbs are killers, for everyone. At the top o walked along the ridge for a few miles. It was a nice easy walk. Then came the next climb. This was pretty rough too. But not as long as the other one. The view from the top was pretty spectacular. At this point I was super hot an super sweaty. I had only planned on 22 miles for the day. And then tomorrow hike 2 miles to the road, catch a ride for a quick resupply, then back to the trail. But now I was thinking I'd do the extra 2 miles tonight and stay in town. I really wanted that shower, plus I could wash my clothes in the tub and do a quick resupply in the morning then hit the trail. I really, really wanted a shower. So with that decided I moved on. It was 2 miles to the road with the promise of water. Which was great because I was just about out. And I needed to refill on water before I could eat lunch. When I was in Daleville I picked up Nunn tablets. Theyre electrolyte tabs that you dissolve in a bottle of water. I thought it would be a good idea to drink some since it's been so hot and all I do is sweat. Not sure of it helps it not but it's better to be safe than sorry. After lunch I had about 11 miles to the road. The terrain wasn't too bad. Ups and downs but nothing too bad. I moved along pretty quickly. All I could think about is the shower. Haha. I passed 800 miles today!! Super exciting!!I made it to the road about 630. I made really good time today. My feet were sore but nothing too bad. Everything else felt pretty good. Along the side of the trail was a bag of apples. I couldn't resist, I grabbed one and crossed the road to settle on a picnic table. So nice to sit down and the apple was so tasty. I pulled out my book to make some phone calls. I had to call over 6 people in order to find a shuttle. One of the guys I called was out of town and made a bunch of calls to some of his friends to see about a pick up. That was pretty cool. I ended up calling E's Y taxi service. They were awesome and not too expensive either. He dropped me at the budget inn in Buena Vista, VA. The lady gave away the room that I had called about earlier, but she did have another. This one was all the way in the back on the end. Super creepy walking back there with all the creepy people milling about. The place is way over priced for the crap hole it is. But the shower felt good. I order a meat livers pizza from domino's and ate half. So good. I washed my clothes in the tub. Ill be in Waynesboro in a few days and I wash them.for real then, but this will work for now. The dirt that came out in the water was pretty gross. I hope they're dry in the morning. The grocry store is within a mile, I'll get there tomorrow morning. Then back on the trail. VA is going quicker than I thought. Going to take it easy milewise the next few days. At least I'll try tok, haha.American Pharoah won the Preakness...another shot at a triple crown winner. Belmont Stakes in 3 weeks!!