Date: 2016-05-17
From: 752.5. cove mountain shelter

To: 755.7 middle creek campground
Miles today: 3.2

Today is Tuesday, day 54.   I am at mile marker 755.7, I covered 3.2 miles today. I am at Middle Creek Campground near Buchanan, VA. I slept very well in the shelter last night. I was feeling so blessed to be in the shelter as it began raining early. I also slept next to Theo (golden retriever) (see pics). He is such a sweet dog. As is his owner, Sojo. I was packed and ready to go by 6:30 but Ferrell and I decided to wait on the rain . After an hour of waiting we gave up and decided to hit the trail. We walked 3.2 miles to a cross road and then made it to the campground. Ferrell and pop tart are catching a shuttle into town. Ferrell will stay there till his wife arrives on Saturday and then he will go home. Pop tart will take a day off tomorrow and start again on Thursday. I have decided to stay at the campground... There were no available cabins but the owner said I could sleep in the recreational room. SWEET!!! That means I am out of the rain for the day and evening. They have a small kitchen and offer meals. I have already had; eggs, bacon, toast, potato chips, coffee and a coke. I'll order lunch in a few and supper later??. I have had a shower, washed my clothes and I am now watching an old Robert Redford movie. Life is good right now. I had to convince myself that it was ok to take a very very short day. I did that by saying.... Ok over the past 2 days I have covered 28.2 miles and that helped me. I know... Crazy but it is what I needed to do to accept my decision. I spoke to Trotter this morning and she is taking a zero in Daleville--- mostly due to the weather. I could have shuttled there to spend the night with here but logistically staying at the campground is much wiser. Time wise. And, I have everything I need here... Especially the meals and dry room. While I have eluded to the fact that, other then Trotter, I have not really "walked" with anyone else during my time in the trail. So, of course, Ferrell and I had an immediate connection. Even though we just met yesterday and only walked 3.2 miles together... It was very enjoyable. When he hugged me goodbye... He told me, the exact same thing that I was thinking. He said, "there are not many people, that you know immediately, upon meeting them, that you will be friends for a long time."   Yes, it brought tears to my eyes! And I said, please reconsider ... And walk at least to Harper's Ferry, WV (the unofficial halfway point of the trail). He said it sounded tempting but he feels good about his decision to leave, the trail, and he feels good about his walk. Hats off to him!! I am very happy for him. Sojo and Theo (hiker and his dog) are here at the campground but he needs to move on because he is meeting family in a few weeks to celebrate his 75th birthday. I told him he could leave Theo with me but he did not agree to that. Well, it was worth a try!Tomorrow I will hit the trail again. The rain will be here all night and early morning. So, I'll have breakfast and then head out. I too need to cover some miles as Chrissy is planning on meeting me on Saturday if everything works out. It is hard to lock plans down due to the unforeseen things that happen every day. I am looking out of the window as I type this and I feel go grateful to be inside... Warm and dry.