Last update, I had my feet up relaxing after enjoying an almost full day in town.  

Day 48: What A Push!

A big day out of Waynesboro, Virginia! Especially after leaving town a tad on the late side! Tons of food packed up for the next stretch and was ready to tackle what lay ahead! 

Where I wanted to camp was occupied and would’ve put us at just over 24 miles for the day. My backup plan, a trail junction, which was non-existent, forced us to keep wandering down the trail to our next water source. Hopefully, there’s a flat spot nearby. 

We kept moseying down the trail and stumbled upon an old cabin. 26 miles today only to awkwardly cowboy camp on the old stones that fashioned a porch.  

Day 49: Shelter to Shelter 

Woke up with the birds and quickly packed up, we have big goals for miles today! The terrain and views weren’t all that special today, but still found things to visually enjoy. 

I did find one view to really enjoy!

More elevation gain than yesterday and even more road crossings! Just kept ticking off miles and meeting Payday at every water source within the day. I’m fairly certain I stopped for water 4 times throughout the day. It was a hot and humid one, while the water seemed to be just as warm. 

The closer to camp, the colder the water got. The water at the shelter we called home for the night was deliciously freezing! Hiked just shy of 28 miles today. 

Day 50: Daydreaming Away 

I woke up on the wrong side of my sleeping pad this morning. Had no zest for anything other than to lay right back down! 

I hate to say this but Shenandoah National Park was pretty lame so far on the AT. Hate to say it, but the truth stinks sometimes! 

The lackluster overcast views and continuous gap crossings had my thoughts elsewhere today!

Mostly reflecting on my previous thru-hike from last summer; this time last year I took my first steps on the Continental Divide Trail!

Kept finding the few spots that had water and kept on pushing. It was easy terrain and felt great to have a solid pace! Kept that pace and before I knew it we were at camp! 

Nothing better than a full day of miles to end it all tucked away cozy in your tent. I’m ready for a chill day of miles tomorrow before hitting town! 28 total miles today! 

Day 51: Ice Cream Dreams

It will be a relaxing day ahead! We have to kill some time to wait for the post office tomorrow! It’s a nice feeling to not have pressure on myself to rush and drink all of the water I can filter! We are even planning on stopping at one of the waysides today!

Payday and I enjoying the views!

Payday and I essentially walked straight from camp to the wayside in excitement for the potential of ice cream! Initially, we were not going to wait an hour and a half for the ice cream machine, but us sitting outside attracted the other thru-hikers. We all were eventually taking over the yard, all drooling from the suspense only ice cream could bring! 

With the lovely conversations coming to an end along with our wait, so did our hopes for our treat! 

What do you mean the ice cream machine is broken?! I waited around for over an hour getting mine and others around me stoked on a cold dairy treat for the machine to be broken. 

Let me have my moment to pout and find a better attitude. Time to put my music on full blast and get me the heck out of here! I found my groove again, eventually making it to camp eager to eat my big dinner and enjoy a pre-downloaded movie on my phone. 

I hiked 22 miles today, felt good to enjoy today but certainly felt under-accomplished at camp. Nothing will cheer me up like time in town tomorrow!

Day 52: Front Royal 

We had less than 3 miles into Front Royal, Virginia. Woohoo! We met our shuttle driver at the trailhead and managed to bring another hiker, Bumble into town. 

First stop? The biggest homemade cinnamon roll we could find as we waited for the town to become more lively! We were a tad early into town! We were hoping to squeeze in a shower at the hostel, but it didn’t fit into the schedule. We wanted to be in and out of town while also beating the heat of the day as well. When do we walk out of this heat dome?!   

I did enjoy my time at the outfitter in town, as I always do poking around a gear shop eventually making our way to the public library. The A/C in this building was top-tier! It was so refreshing, yet took your breath away every time you’d enter. Another reason we made our way there was the free trolley conveniently drops hikers back on the trail! 

There’s always a climb out of town, it’s the AT making sure you want to recommit to the trail. Kept the bodies moving to a tent site on top of a hill. It was yet another humid day with sweat dripping from everywhere into everything. 

This tent site could not have been more perfect nestled in this little pod cutout within this meadow. Not only was the breeze into my tent rewarding, but also my tent view! Tonight will be a grand show for the full moon and I am eagerly awaiting my front-row seat! 

Time in town and still managed to squeeze out 19 miles in almost 7 hours!  

Until next update, happy trails and hike on!