Days 61 to 65: Familiar Faces
Current Location: Four Pines Hostel, Mile 701.8
D61, 4/16:
The previous day, the 24+ mile day did not end well. After leaving Bland full of Subway, I did not feel so great. Extreme nausea. Oh man. Horrible. Barely made it the last few miles without vomitting. At least when I made it to the shelter Ribbit and Goose were setting up camp, who I had not seen in a couple hundred miles. A great time catching up.
Today did not go so well either. After waking up, the nausa didn't subside. Like an idiot, I pushed on anyway. Best choice, obviously. After 30 minutes of hiking, I started dry heaving. Thought I should turn around, take a day and rest. Of course I didn't. Drank a bit of water, and pushed forward. Made it a bit further and finally vomitted. Yay. Took a minute, seriously debated turning around, but of course, did not.
Third time is the charm of course. About an hour of misery later, I emptied my stomach. Shit. Maybe I should have turned around. Well, too far now, might as well push on. After too many hours I finally stumbled into Jenny Knob Shelter and sat down. Did I mention that that last stretch of trail (almost 10 miles) had zero water? Filled up my bottles and drank some very slowly, trying to mitigate my dehydration. Attempted to eat, but only got a single bite of a Larabar down.
Rabbit and Goose convinced me to push on to Trent's Grocery, and I reluctantly obliged. It took me forever, but I eventually made it. 16.1 miles hiked on half a serving of Gatorade powder and a single bite of a Larabar. It's amazing what the body can do under stress. After getting to the road we walked to Trent's, a hole in the road kind of grocery store. Where 50lb sacks of potatoes can only be found in the same aisle as WILD BEAST FERAL PIG ATTRACTANT. Awesome, but gross, and definitely a little run down. Ordered cheese sticks and inhaled a Gatorade. Hoped it would all stay down. Walked the .5 back to the trail and setup camp down by the river. Failed to hang my bear bag, which Ribbit had to do for me out of shame. Ugh.
D62, 4/17:
Woke up feeling much better. Hiked the 15.3 to Woods Hole Hostel, with a quick lunch pit stop at the Wapiti Murder Shelter. Seriously though, people were murdered there. It's creepy.
Woods Hope Hostel is probably my favorite stay so far. An absolute gorgeous property, cabin, and hiker facilities. Topped only by the fucking delicious home grown and raised meals. All of the meats are raised on property as well as the vegetables. It's amazing. I really didn't want to leave. I was so in love I forgot to take photos. Let's just say, I'll be back.
Finally met up with Smokey Bear who left the trail and got back on. Last I saw him was back in Erwin when he was terribly sick. Caught up and had some laughs.
Headed out to dinner at the local Mexican spot and saw Steady and Teach. Aparently gear and body issues have been plaguing them. Finally got a chance to catch up with them as they have been far ahead for many hundreds of miles.
D63, 4/18:
I didn't leave. Took an unexpected zero. I regret nothing. Amazing breakfast and dinner. Debated taking a few more. Slept great.
D64, 4/19:
Reluctantly left Woods Hole and pushed 18 to Rice Field shelter. It was freaking hot. Too hot for spring. Help. Last two climbs were brutal in the mid day sun.
D65, 4/20:
Managed to make it through the day without too much 4/20 smoke week everyday nonsense. That was good.
Hiked 16.5 to the next shelter and had a great day. Stopped by "The Captain's" and grabbed a soda. I don't know who he is, but he rigged up an ingenious system to cross a stream. Zip line chair seat. Amazing,and worth the detour. Awesome dog too! Crawled up the final climb, and Smokey Bear urged me to push another 9 to the next shelter. Declined.
All in all, a great day on the AT. It looks to rain tomorrow. It looks like my 8 day streak of sunshine is about to run out. Oh well. There's always next week.
D66, 4/21
MARATHON DAY!
Woke up feeling great after a great night of rest. Last night Smokey Bear called me a bitch for not pushing to the next shelter. In order to make up for it, I pushed 27 miles to meet him at the next shelter. It was a long 11 hour day, but I crushed it. 2.7 mph average with breaks and almost 4000 feet of climb! Felt good, but exhausted at the end of the day. Sleep is good. My feet smell.
D67, 4/22:
Took a relatively shorter 17 mile day to Four Pines Hostel after Dragons Tooth. A nice, DRY, spot out of the rain. Homeplace Restaurant was out of control. Serious eating. Unlimited fried chicken, and all of the fixings. Oh man. Soooo full. Oy vey. Happy to find many friends here. Smokey Bear, Ribbit and Goose, Steady and Teach, King Arthur, Fraternity Frank, Stealth, and many others. A great night to come.