Day 63

This was a LONG day! I was up and hiking before 7am. We were expecting rain by 8am and I had about 3-ish miles to reach Lick Creek where the bridge was washed out and you have to ford the creek.The reports was that it was only ankle deep but after a rain, it can get to knee deep. Luckily, I reached it and got across before the rain. Actually, the rain was a couple hours late from when I expected it. It happened during 2+ mile climb up toward Chestnut Knob Shelter. That was a wonderful shelter to have lunch as the rains fell since it is a four walled building with windows and a door. A bunch of hikers were in there waiting out the rains. After, it was nice and foggy. I had a ridge walk to do after that and it was much rockier with ups & downs than I expected. Somehow I still managed the 20+ mile day but my left foot is killing me again. Anything over 16 miles is really rough for me. Still, my daily goal is at least 14 miles. This shelter area is packed! Tents everywhere and the shelter is full. We’ve all been talking about an outpost 11 miles away tomorrow. It has a grill where you can get burgers, cheese fries and milkshakes. That sounds heavenly! Gonna be a good day tomorrow. I can feel it.