Back on Trail after Hurricane Break

I am back on the trail!

After a five-day delay because of Hurricane Florence, I was able to get back on trail earlier this week. Section-hiking friends Pathfinder and Poppins have been hosting me all this week, allowing me to slackpack, sleep in a real bed, shower, and eat real food. I couldn’t  be more grateful. Tomorrow is back to the real world of thru-hiking: sleeping in shelters (or my tent), trail food, a shower every five days or so, and hanging out my clothes at the end of the day with no hope of them drying. But that’s OK. It’s time to move.

The delay by the hurricane was hard, but I think I can still finish on schedule or before. It will just be a matter of listening to my body to make sure I don’t push too hard, which is definitely a temptation after the delay. Nothing like taking all of my zero days at once!

The past week has been good. The first day back on trail was still fairly rainy and foggy, and the trail was a stream in some places. But the next few days featured sun and views. It’s amazing how my mood can be dependent on the sun sometimes. Wildlife has been abundant, and seems to be glad for the sun just like me. I’ve seen lizards, a monster toad, a bobcat (very briefly), and plenty of birds.

I think the weather is supposed to get a little damp again, but hopefully it won’t be too bad. I’m hoping to get back in my hiking groove; the delay was hard mentally, most of all. So here’s to more miles, leading me ever closer to Georgia.

Flat Elliott crosses the James River footbridge.

Until next time, (and hopefully with a more creative blog post) 😉

Vulture

The Guillotine.