Date: 2008-04-18
From: Daleville, VA

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: few clouds

We woke up at 7a this morning because we had an 18 mile day planned. By 7:30a, we were at the breakfast buffet with TONS of old people! I heated up 3 egg patties, 2 hashbrowns, and 2 doughnuts. After eating, I called a place in KY to try and find housing for med school. Unfortunately, none of the property managers were in and wouldn't be until tomorrow. Then, we headed back to the post office and some wonderful things happened. I mailed in my med school things, sent some stuff home, and Toddy Bear received his package. Yeti, on the other hand, checked with the postmaster and found out that his package had not arrived. After some time, Post Master Keith, a very, very helpful guy, and Yeti concluded that if the package arrives, then he would forward it to either Front Royal or Linden, VA. This is helpful, but not very good for Yeti because he had some crucial things in this maildrop. So, we hit the trail by 10:15a and crossed the busy 4 laned road. Man, as we were walking, the sun was just beating down on us and I knew what that meant...A "Fun" day! By the time we'd gotten to the Fullhardt Shelter, an uphill climb, it was noon and we were sweating as if there were some sort of prize for the person who sweats the most! So, we took a lunch break and took off all of our clothes so that they could dry. As usual, we launched an "assault" on the privy! I don't know how, but as we were preparing to leave, Toddy Bear's shorts some how got wet--it was magic, wasn't it T. Bear?!?!?!?!? Instead of waiting for them to dry, he strapped them on to his backpack, a hiker's laundry line, and decided to hike in his underwear. Well, we're all part of a team, right? What kind of team would allow one of their members to hike in their underwear all by themselves, eh? With gang mentality at its height, Yeti and I took off our shorts and hiked in our underwear/compression shorts to show solidarity!!! We did, however, discuss what we would say if anybody were to question us about our attire...We would tell them that we were preparing for "Hike Naked Day" by taking baby steps!!!Eventually, we reached Curry Creek and celebrated the "1/3 of the trail" mark by resting and dipping our heads in the creek. At this point, we decided to make today a short day because the sun's strength was too much for us, and it's supposed to be cloudy/rainy tomorrow...better temperature for hiking!! An hour later, we reached the Wilson Creek Shelter and made camp. We all hiked down the slightly steep trail for water and gathered as much as possible because we did not want to make a second trip down there. The, I decided that I should practice pitching the Tarp-Poncho because I never know when I'll have to set it up! I think I may have made a bad decision in purchasing this item for a couple of reasons: 1) Even with a taut central line, the hood still invaginates (biological term) and will collect water and 2) I don't think it's big enough for me and my stuff--I can make it work, but it's not as comfortable as my Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 tent, but it is lighter! We ate dinner and then relaxed for quite some time. I know we only did 11 [trail] miles today, but we did approximately 5 more in town. Also, the sun is such a weakening factor. Well, it's now 8:45p and I'm exhausted. So, I'm probably gonna go to bed. Oh! Kanati sent me a text today and told me that he's in Atkins, VA ( only 190.7 miles back) and he's still doing 20 mile days..! He'll catch up to us soon, trust me!!!