Day 50

Just a stroll thru the woods. That’s all it is, folks. What a wonderful stroll it was though. The terrain for today was gradual and while there are always some spots that will get you huffin’ and puffin’, it was an easier day than most. The weather was fantastic as well. Honestly, I would have been comfortable if I had been in my shorts all day. I might do it tomorrow but, we’ll see. Rain is in the forecast again. Always seems to be something on the day I am getting off trail. I have 11.2 miles to do tomorrow to meet Jason. After 5 full days on trail, he said he’ll have to strap me to the hood of the car and hose me down when we get to the hotel. Okay, back to today. I started off by seeing the waterfall I was listening to all night from my camp spot. Then later on up the trail, I met Hawk; the man, the myth, the legend! ? He’s a really cool guy and it was a pleasure speaking with him as well as Owl Cat and Skip who were with them (and a cute doggie named PR). Hawk has hiked the AT many times including a yo-yo, meaning he started at one end, went to the other end and then turned around and went back. Essentially, two thru-hikes… NOBO & SOBO back-to-back. You can see some of his hikes on YouTube if you look up “Craig Mains”. I watched him last year as I looked forward to my turn. After that, it was lots of water views and then a young guy comes up to me asking if I have water I could spare. He said he lost his filter and was now out of water. So for my good deed for the day, I gave him some water to drink immediately and then followed him .6 miles to a creek where we used my filter to fill up his single 1L bottle. I hope he got to a hostel today, as he was planning so he could get a new filter. Hikers have to take care of each other! I wish the kid well. I got to where I wanted to camp but there were already two tents set up there and while it was a pretty grassy area, I noticed tire tracks like donuts in the grass and mud down the hill. I think I’ll just keep going. At mile 13 for the day, I came to a single spot literally becide the trail. While I rather be further from the trail itself and not right next to it, this will work. I’m hunkered down for another storm apparently and then will have to make a wet push to Shook Branch Rec Area. Sad I’ll be passing and missing Boots Off Hostel. I really wanted to check that place out. I’ve been wearing their arm band since they gave it to me at Hostel Around The Bend at mile 69. Sorry, but rather meet up with Jason, get a hotel and dinner in town.