Date: 2015-05-01
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: McCormick Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: broken clouds

5/1, 3.7, WaynesboroWe woke early this morning because we scheduled our shuttle out at 7 am. The steady rain started overnight, and was forecast to last all day so we donned the rain gear and headed for the lobby breakfast. Waffles, bagel, cream cheese, donuts, and a bowl of cereal are a good hiker start. Our shuttle arrived at 7, and had us on trail by 7:30, I bought some toe socks at the outfitter to try and reduce the amount of rubbing between my toes where the damage was occurring. I also applied a skin anti-friction balm between the toes. As we started to hike my toes felt pretty good. The trail was decent and we were able to make good time. About 20 minutes into the hike though I was already experiencing deteriorating conditions on my toe. After an hour, the pain was back in full for e and I was considering my options. I told Maverick what was happening and that I thought I needed another day off my feet to finish healing. As we reached the first skyline drive crossing, 3.7 miles into our hike, we stopped and I decided I was going to call for a shuttle back into town. Maverick decided since the rain was extremely depressing, he would wait with me and we could continue together tomorrow. I reached a trail angel from the Waynesboro shuttle list named John, and he said he could be right out. He arrived about twenty minutes later and we threw our packs in the bed of his truck, and climbed inside. We had decided to stay at the small motel near the trail, but hoped it would be OK to take a ride into town to get some Epsom salts for soaking. John was glad to do it so we headed the 5 miles into town. John was extremely nice to help me out this way and as we talked he wondered if we would like to get some breakfast. Since it had been over an hour since we last ate, we said sure. John took us to his favorite local place where Maverick and ai had eggs to order, toast, bacon and coffee. As we visited John made it clear that breakfast was on him so once again, we received a trail magic meal! John's wife also joined us as we were finishing up. When we were done John took us to Kroger, then back out toward the trail to the motel. He already had a shuttle from town to the trail in he morning, so we asked him to pick us up on that run so we could bet back on trail tomorrow. Glad to do it was his response and after we signed his shuttle log, we unloaded at the motel.We settled into our room quickly and I began the cycle again of soaking in Epsom salts, the letting my foot air dry for an hour, then back into the soak. We were both keeping expenses down so we ate trail food meals for the duration of the day. Maverick did decide to have a pizza delivered, i had picked up a package of cookies at Kroger, and we both picked up large bottles of soda so along with the microwave popcorn from the office, so we were not starving. We filled the rest of the day with napping, soaking, eating, and planning mixed in with a little television. I have soaked away another entire package of Epsom, and my foot feels pretty good. Nevertheless, the true test will be tomorrow morning when I hike out on it whether it is ready or not. But I am confident it will be mostly good to go.Silverback