Days 54-8: Onwards and Upwards

Current Location: 547.2, Davis Campsite, VA

Day 54, 4/9

Left Damascus feeling great and energized. Did 15 miles to Lost Mountain Shelter and felt great.  A great day out on the trail.  A heavy pack full of food, but no regrets. Food is delicious. 

Day 55, 4/10

Passed near Mt. Rogers and made it 18 miles to Wise Shelter. I really wanted to climb Rogers, but the forested summit didn't seem completely worth it. 

Walked into the Grayson Highlands and saw some ponies!  Super cool, but unfortunately they seemed shy.  Maybe not the social group of ponies.  Haha, maybe tomorrow.  

Day 56, 4/11

Walking through the Grayson Highlands and the other Highlands of Virginia was fantastic. Left ankle was a bit sore, but I managed to squeeze out 20 miles anyway. Probably not the best idea, but oh well.  Waking up to ponies at the shelter was super cool.  These ponies seemed to be much more social than the last. Probably fed by people before.  

Day 57, 4/12

Woke up to pouring rain at Trimpi Shelter and headed out.  Wanted to make the 10 miles to Partnership Shelter and the 11am shuttle, so I booked it.  Absolutely decimated the 10 miles in less than 3 hours in the pouring rain.  

Made it to Marion, and resupplied.  Decimated the Chinese buffet as well. To top it all off, a few hikers and I ordered pizza at the shelter. So worth it.  Too bad the shower wasn't working.  Probably the nicest shelter on the whole trail.   

Day 58, 4/13

Today has been one of the best so far on trail. Headed out of Partnership Shelter late around 9am. Beautiful sunny day without a single cloud in the sky.  Walked 7 miles to the next shelter and had a nice break and soaked my feet in the cool stream.  Made it a few more miles and found some amazing trail magic at the schoolhouse at the Settlers Museum. Nothing like a ice cold soda on a warm day. Ughhhhh. So good.  

Made my way to Rural Retreat, VA and found The Barn Restaurant. Had the burger, charged my phone, and moved out.  Heading to the Davis Campsite and the QUARTER WAY POINT tonight!

Settler Museum

PONIES!!!!!

Whitetop MTN on the left.  The highlands.  

It's springtime!  Near Atkins.