Day 89

Campbell Shelter to US 220 (Daleville) 15.4 miles AT mile 740.6

Card of the day – knight of swords

The wind howled all night and the rain came down.  But my tent was dry and warm.

There was a spider in the privy as big as a golf ball who was looking at me as I was trying to poop which is never a good feeling!  After all how do I know if he wants to bite me and kill me?

I was out by 7.30, and feeling physically strong.  It was going to be a hike into town.  These town stops are getting more frequent and I’m starting to stay on them longer.  I miss home and have a serious case of the Virginia blues.  I’d messaged the Fellowship to tell them that I’m not coming to Richmond, the temptation to jack it all in and get a flight home from a town with an international airport was just too high.

I passed a lot of nature today.  I saw a Frog, some Deer just chilling, they really have no fear of humans, a Tortoise and lots more orange Lizards.  I saw Squirrels, Chipmunks and Butterfly’s of all kinds!  Still no Bears though!

This mornings had a cool temp for hiking and an amazing breeze and the View Spot! Just wow.  But that was nothing when compared to Tinker Cliffs (But Don’t Look Down).  The views recently have been to die for and today really has been the crown of the triple crown.

I had second breakfast (yes of pop tarts) at a shelter and read Quazi’s blessings.  It’s always interesting to flick back and see familiar names and then what they write.

It’s also depressing to see how much further along people are! (Fritz, how do you kill those miles man!)

Oh ridge lines, yes the stones and boulders hurt, and who even knew the world had that many stones? And yes the PUDs (pointless ups and downs) suck.  But at least every now and then we are treated to views.  Most the day we have been looking down into the James River valley I think.

I ended up Bumping into the fellowship, who were slack packing SoBo and we chatted.  I explained why I was not coming to Richmond, and I think they understood, even though they tried to change my arm setting out all the fun I’m going to miss!  They are having a Pride weekend (just for me!).  I really do miss those guys and my hike has been significantly different since we parted ways after Trail Days.

Every now and then in this section you seem to get odd signs in the middle of no where.  Now I know they are telling us the miles to locations, but they are literally just there.  Not at a trail head or crossing, just in the middle of no where.  Maybe they are just there to tease us about how many miles we have left?  Or have hiked to get to no where come to think on it?

I got out at 1430, and back into civilisation.

Hotel, Shower and Laundry.

I then hit the outfitters for new shoes.  This was the first outfitters since NOC to carry Merrell’s!  Can you believe that?

The struggles of the last few days has been intense.  I think lots of people are starting to feel it.  740 miles, 3 months!  Over 2/3 of the way left to go and at least another 3 months.  Same in same out.  Get up, sometimes in the rain, hike for 8 hours, poop in the woods.  You have to wonder if it’s worth it?  Then I got a message.

Two of my favourite people left the trail today, but not before giving me some sound advice!  Well some more sound advice.

I’m not sure when their post about it will come out so I’m not going to name them, but they know who they are, and if you read this, Thank you!  I’ll see you on the Camino some time.