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Double Zeros on the Calendar Year Triple Crown
This morning we slept in at the room once more! We knew that the weather was at least going to be rough this morning, so we weren’t feeling rushed. But after checking the radar again, it was clear that it was going to rain all day long. And a lot of rain! We’re talking inches of accumulation of the course of the day. So we made the wildest decision of the year, choosing to take our second zero day in a row today.
I reached out to Andy to let him know that we wouldn’t be hiking today. Just because he’s going to be giving us a ride back to the trailhead. But he said that he can drive us back tomorrow morning to get an early start. The weather looks great tomorrow so we’ll be able to get good miles in. And we’re so ahead of schedule that taking the day off today isn’t going to be an issue.
Dark skies today in the town of Oxford.
Once we decided to stay I went downstairs to book the room for another night. Then headed back upstairs to chill out. A little while after that we decided to walk to get some breakfast. It was raining pretty hard but we were dang hungry. We walked right down the road to a Waffle House to get the day started. Everyone looked at us like we were crazy when we walked in with rain jackets and shorts on.
I got the all star breakfast with eggs, hash browns, toast, sausage, and a blueberry nougat waffle. And a chocolate milk of course! I almost ate every last bite other than a little bit of waffle. Waffle House is so dang good! Once we finished up we walked in the rain again to get back to the motel.
It’s wild to think that we just took a double zero today!
The rest of the day we did a whole lot of nothing. I was definitely antsy sitting around for the day. But with how bad the weather is I’m also glad that we’re inside for the day. It’s in the low 40s today, raining heavily, and there are some tornado warnings through the area. It’s a really good day to be inside! We have plenty of time to get where we need to be.
I wound up falling asleep for a little bit as I laid in bed. Then went through my resupply and got a lot of things put away. I didn’t get much food at Walmart but I grabbed a couple different packs of bars. And got some hot chocolate and coffee packs to have something warm in the mornings. Especially if it’s going to be cold the next week.
Leaving the room to grab some dinner.
Later on we wound up walking again to grab some dinner. There was a Mexican restaurant right down the road from us. I still had some chipotle left from last night. So I got chips and queso and a side of rice and beans. Just to add to the meal and make it feel like something brand new. Then we walked back to eat. We could see the sky getting dark again. It was about to pour!
The Mexican restaurant right by the quality inn.
Not long after we got back to the room a ton of rain rolled in. It started to pour and we were once again very glad to be inside. There was thunder and lightning too. Some cracks of thunder were so big that you could feel it shake the motel! But we just got to sit inside in the warm, dry, room and eat our dinner. How lucky are we.
Brining our haul of food back to the room.
For the rest of the night we just watched cops and laid around. I got some video work and writing done. When you’re reading this my week 6 YouTube vlog should be live! If you want to check that out it’s @madisonblagden on YouTube. I put out a video every Thursday!
The TV kept going in and out once we bad rain rolled through.
Eventually we turned the lights off and winded down. But of course we stayed up way later than we should have, just watching tv. It’s hard to wind down when you’re not actually exerting yourself at all over the course of the day.
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Comments 34
Ya better to wait out the storm in warm room instead of packing up wet while it’s cold out. Tonight in north Alabama we have 20! degrees for low but warms up a little next couple days & then back to 20’s for low at night – it’ll be good to be dry in that temperature but I’m guessing you are heading into winter now but hopefully it stays dry for you. I think 40’s during day is nice for hiking? Anyway, have a great day out there tomorrow!!
Enjoy the writeup, as always. These are great for those of us that dream of thru hikes but can’t yet make it out for that long….shows how things really are. Thanks for the consistent posts and info!
You are so right Justin. I will avoid so many newbie mistakes just from reading PL blogs.
Well my lovely Peg Leg I came to your blog tonight so happy that you’d taken that 2nd zero to avoid that awful weather and what do I see but a bunch of negativity!!! Oh how this hurts my heart not only for you but for your true supporters who want to hear the honest truth about your journey and feel honoured and happy to support you in anyway they can. Please don’t let these jealous naysayers get you down. You can’t please everyone and I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinions but it’s been brutal today. I guess the weather has affected some peoples psyche that they have to lash out at someone. I’m just sorry it’s you ❤️ Big hugs and keep doing your thing ❤️
Wow! Is there a troll convention going on here or what? Gotta wonder about people who expend their time on energy not only reading something seem to find worthless but also writing pointless comments to express their lack of respect. BTW, this is the first time in over a 1000 miles these two have slept in a hotel room. Storms like that can be dangerous and sitting it out is just smart.
Hey Pegleg
Today, I read some hurtful entries that may or may not have had an impact on you. Please keep in mind these comment types tend to come from a mindset of jealously. You get to do something supported by others at times, while they are prevented from doing something because of limitations. They project these frustrations onto you. These folks are often clueless about what they are commenting on, and are often hindered by their own insecurities to overcome their limitations, so they lash out at others. I just want you to know that your blogs have prevented me from making many newbie mistakes, as I embark on my first thru hike.
Good morning. Don’t listen to the negativity. I’m seeing so much of it today. I don’t understand it. Never will.
I admire your efforts, sacrifices, courage, determination and skills. I think that these naysayers don’t quite get the drift.
Or, on the other hand, they are more like someone I know very well, whose whole purpose in life is to get up in the morning, have a cup of coffee and then get on the internet to grind people into dust. The person I know who is a huge internet troll, spends his whole day eating people alive online. In my opinion, he does so because his own life is so negative and painful, he has to spread his bad vibes. It’s sort of therapy to him. Obviously, not well mentally. I would suggest that these negative comments are those types of people.
But, you’ve got us positive people who have been watching you perform massive distances, day after day, in and out of the weather; who have some personal hiking experience and understand just how difficult it is to put one foot in front of the other, carrying a 30 lb pack, 30 miles a day, up and down mountains, day after day, sun, rain, snow, hail, wind, dogs, frogs, snails, coyotes, snakes, bugs, etc., and still persevere. Still push on. I salute you and those in the thru-hiker community that are out there blazing it up
To the negative crowd out there hating on Peg Leg. Go to your refrigerator, pull out another beer, eat a couple of slices of last nights pizza, turn on CNN or Disney, binge on Law and Order reruns, and enjoy your day. I’m sure you will achieve all your personal goals today, which is to say, nothing.
Peg Leg: Keep hammering it out girl. You are amazing. Hoping to meet you and Punisher when you’re up in Central VA.!!
The only sticker on my water cup says: “Follow Your Path and F*CK the Noise”
Keep it up, Peg! Stay warm!
I love your posts! As a 70 year old backpacker and wantabe thru hiker you have my blessings. Look me up when you get to Pagosa Springs, CO or Platoro, CO on the CDT. I’d love to buy you a meal.
It is so sad to view negative comments on any platform. I’m not understanding the hate that is spewed to someone you’ve never met. We need to live in a world of grace for everyone. I, personally, have not met PegLeg but I enjoy her taking the time to share her hike, ups-and-downs and hiking knowledge. I will never get to hike per doctor’s orders so I get to see her perspective. PL’s blogs make me smile. What a wonderful person to know through her writings. I wish her the best and God speed as she attempts the nearly impossible trek this year!
Peg Leg, your upbeat, honest, grateful attitude rings loud and clear. Let’s just erase any hateful, negative, envious voices we hear out there. My prayers are for your safety and continued success, as well as for the sad people with hateful comments. I wish them a way to resolve their own internal issues and to experience the joy of supporting others and living their own fulfilling lives.
Just remember Peg Leg,.. there’s more of us supporting you than hatters. 🙂
I mean haters,.. not hatters,.. although there’s probably plenty of hatters out there too.
I am certain Peg Leg can and will ignore the few negative comments here. To those who deal in such stuff, why don’t you go for a hike instead and let the rest of us enjoy Peg Leg’s journey.
Hello Peg Leg! I am new to you and your travels and I much enjoy your daily accounts. Is there a way I can contribute some cash to your efforts WITHOUT signing up to VENMO? I am just not fond of providing all my info in this way. Hope to hear from you and safe travels.
Harry
Love your you tube videos. I’m 64 and have to thank you for not only keeping me up to date on new gear, but also a way to rejuvenate me with your tales. Never used a Pay App before and some girl named Madison Brogden got a nice payday. Hope you receive my help
Madison is Peg Leg…one and the same
I understand what you’re saying. I just couldn’t click the tip button without a Venmo account. Set up the account and paid to the wrong Madison😂😂 after setting up Venmo. The tip button works. I’ve never spent money Thru an app. It’s not like I have kids needing $$ these days. Lesson learned
Peg Leg,
I just stumbled on your trek this year. It’s been interesting reading. I do have one question which may be a matter of personal preference. Why do you stick with Mountain House dehydrated meals when there are more favorable ones, according to my friends and my humble opinions? Peak comes to mind as an example.
If it’s just personal preference, I understand that. I’m just wondering if I’m missing something here like shelf life, ease of use, etc.
As you can tell I’m no hiker, would love to be but life says no. I do use them in my emergency response bags for car breakdowns. I don’t wish to eat dehydrated scrambled eggs, personally! So, ask an expert.
Thank you,
Why
Peg Leg is being sponsored by Mountain House
Enough said. I should have thought of that possibility. I have a friend who is sponsored by Budwiser for her marathons. Happy trails.
Why