Sunday, May 17, 2020

Day #66 - AT Hike - Smokey’s Bypass end

Sunday, May 17 - Day #66 - AT Hike

Miles Hiked Today - 0
Total Miles Hiked on AT - 864.3/2,193 (39.41%)

Zero Day - drive from Newport, TN to Waynesboro, VA

Total States Completed - 3/14

**No rain - overcast day. Nice driving conditions

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Coming to you live from the laundry room at the Quality Inn in Waynesboro, VA. There’s 1 washer and 1 dryer.  My washer is finished. The dryer is completed as well (with someone else’s stuff) - for like 20 minutes - and nobody in sight to take out their clothes. What’s the protocol here?  In college, you would remove the clothes from the dryer and place on top and then add your clothes. I decided to go ask the hotel desk clerk. She looked at surveillance tape - figured out who it was - then called them. They’ll be down in 5 minutes. ——-  They just arrived. A behemoth of a dude. He could play middle linebacker in the NFL.  Thankful I didn’t mess with his stuff!

A lot of things happening today. I slept in and got out of Newport, TN about 11:30am. The 5 hour drive was good. I talked with family most of the way. I stopped 1/2 way to grab a blizzard at DQ - solid performance.

Upon arrival into Waynesboro - I tried to find a hotel close to the Post Office. I have my resupply box set for pickup tomorrow morning - with new shoes, my new water bag (to replace my leaking one), some Mountain House meals, some Arnica gel, body glide, new toothpaste, contacts, etc.  After getting my hotel, I went to Walmart for my resupply of snacks. Now - I’m doing laundry and plan to grab a subway sandwich later.

My rental car is due back by 8:30am tomorrow - but I’m going to call them to extend by a couple hours and just pay the difference. The Post Office only opens at 9am - then I have to repack my backpack.  My rental car location is actually about 20 minutes from here. I called the Stanimals Hostal caretaker - he said he’d pick me up at Enterprise and then take me back to the trail.

I’m only planning to hike around 8 miles tomorrow. I’m doing a Zero-Nero combo. If I only get on trail at noon - I’m OK with that. I just need to get back in the game and ramp it up again. I’m starting up where I left off a week ago. I’ll be heading into the Shenandoah National Park tomorrow. The park is 107 miles. I’m carrying about 7 days of food - but hoping to make it out in 6 days. I’ve been told that this section is capable of larger miles - we’ll see.

I exchanged text messages with Maddy (Tramily) today. Their group is 3 days into the park. They got ahead of me when I went back to finish the Smokey’s. Maybe I can catch up to them. I also gave a text to Punchline - their group will be finishing the Shenny’s tomorrow.  I’m really hoping I can find a group to stay with now. Before my return to the Smokey’s, I knew all my relationships would be short-lived. Now - I’d like to find a group to hang with. It’s way more fun to have people around - the first 864 miles have taught me so much

It’s 10:15pm. All chores are done - I’m ready for some rest. Here’s to the next chapter of my journey. Let’s stay healthy and have a little fun!


A pile of snacks for 7 days

Lounging late in the evening 

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