Day 69 – Rain Rain Go Away

Come again, never. With the power of a packed out monster energy, I was able to get up and on the trail by 11:00 a.m. (impressive right?) and hike 13 miles in the rain. The end.

Rain again all day today was miserable. It was probably worse than yesterday because of a significant climb after the James River Bridge crossing. I was really looking forward to bridge crossing, here’s why.

In my head I had imagined it being a hot day (wrong already), and jumping into the river from the bridge, effectively reliving childhood summers. Well, when I crossed the bridge, I was already cold and wet from head to toe, defeating the purpose entirely. The bridge was still cool nonetheless.

It was also Hike Naked Day, needless to say that didn’t happen either. Not only because it seemed like a recipe for hypothermia (also embarrassment because as George Castanza would tell you: “shrinkage is a thing”). Maybe tomorrow I’ll make up for it.

You know the rain is bad when the trail looks like the creek next to it. The rest of the day was a steep uphill to the Bluff Mountain ridge line. I’m sure the views are great on a day where it’s not raining. I’ll have to use my imagination for the time being.

I was remembering by a story that “Highlight” was telling at the Bryant Ridge Shelter a few days before. She had yellow blazed that day four times, once in the backwards direction because another car took her too far. She had been telling us about the sweet couple that was deciding where they should take her because of the impending rain. I had chimed in during her story, saying, “they sure were concerned about what to do for this poor girl with all this food, shelter and clothing on her back!”

Rabbit and I made it to Punchbowl Shelter wetter versions of our former selves. Sip made it to the shelter midway up the mountain to us. He’ll catch up tomorrow I’m certain. Hatcher might also be catching a ride to us as well. And if news couldn’t be any better, tomorrow is looking to be dry (lord willing). After today we’re 36.2966% done with the Appalachian Trail.

Stow away in my pack for day 70 on the Appalachian Trail.