Day 21….Ending the Day Early Because I Can

I might be getting my trail legs.

Today I hiked almost 14 miles and had my camp set up by 3pm. Up until today, a 14 mile day meant dragging in at 5 or 6, stuffing food in my face as fast as possible in order to complete all the camp chores, including the 27 attempts to throw the bear bag and the nightly hyperventilation-fest that is also known as blowing up my air mattress.

So, I rolled in early, relaxed with my feet propped up, thought about going on, but decided it’s not a job and it’s not a race and I can stop when I want.

Then I nailed the bear bag throw on the first try.

Woot!

Other good things that happened today:

Sun all day long. In fact it felt like the weather turned a corner today because I woke up and didn’t mind getting out of my cozy sleeping bag.  It was warm!

I did NOT step on that copperhead in the middle of the trail.  (But I made him nervous.  Feeling mutual!)

 

The green tunnel is abloom with thousands of cauliflower sized pink flowers! Yay, rhododendrons of Virginia!

Misguided Gus gave me a discount code for 25% off Altras, my trail shoe of choice.

Catching a sunset at the end of the day from a rock overlook I would have barely glanced at if I’d hiked on.

Camp shoes! (Because my feet whined today for the first time).

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In light of the fact of whining feet, I may severely curtail my miles tomorrow in order to hang out at the swimming hole just 3 miles ahead and catch a ride to the store for ice cream sandwiches.

Because I can.

Because it’s not a job and it’s not a race!