Date: 2004-05-24
From: Tye River, VA 56

To: Reeds Gap, VA 664
Miles today: 10.5

I could get back on the trail today and hike as many miles as I feel like hiking. I could even try to hike many miles and lessen the gap between me and the friends ahead of me.    And, with no consideration for my plans, my stomach could decide that it isn't done being a major pain in my ass and act up at some point during the day or night once again leaving me feeling sick in the woods--a truly miserable experience.   OR...I could arrange another slackpack with the Dutch Haus B&B, hiking only 1012 miles but ending the day in a house. With a bathroom.   With a bathroom.   I still have some birthday money leftover. Happy Birthday: Take 2.   Earl drives me back to the Tye River, where I ended the day yesterday, and tells me he'll see me at Reeds Gap. Just wants to know how much time I need to get there. I had already thought about this and I give him my answer.   Six and a half hours.   Earl does a double-take and repeats it in the form of a question, as if he wasn't sure he heard me right. After all, I'm only doing 10.5 miles.   "Six and a half hours??"   That's right.   Today I would be conquering Three Ridges with a few steep elevation gains. Considering that + total miles + the chance that I could battle my stomach pains again, I decided to give myself alot more time than most thru-hikers would need.   I hiked at a comfortable pace, taking a break after about 212 miles at a shelter located just before making the first big climb. The day was hot. Real hot. In between a couple of snacks, I took off my shirt and rang out the sweat. The idea of hiking without a shirt occured, but the fabric of my pack-straps proved to be irritating on my bare skin. I could tell it would only lead to uncomfortable chafing.   Three Ridges ended up not being as bad as I had anticipated. Then again, I was tackling it with more space in my pack than gear. All day long I took my time and even took breaks when I felt like it. I didn't walk faster than I wanted to, nor did I walk slower. I didn't take any more breaks than I wanted, nor did I take fewer. And my breaks weren't longer than I wanted them, nor were they shorter.    I spent some time in a privy at Maupin Field Shelter, just 1.7 miles from where I would end my day. It wasn't as urgent of a nature-call as I expected though. In fact, my stomach was feeling quite well. When I finished, I flung my pack on and hiked leisurely on to Reeds Gap. I only had to wait about 10 minutes for my ride. Six and a half hours was perfect.   Back at the Dutch Haus, I was a happy camper. My entire demeanor had spun around 180 degrees since last night. For the first time since before Trail Days, I had actually enjoyed my hike.   My stomach felt good. I was showered. I was wearing a fresh, clean robe while my hiking clothes were being laundered. I would be eating a good dinner. And I looked forward to getting back on the trail after another night in a cozy bed and another healthy breakfast in the morning. Things didn't seem that bad after all.               *   *   *   *   *   After dinner, I quarantined the bathroom yet again, wondering if I would ever again feel like a normal, healthy human being.