Day 49

Origin: Jenkins Shelter
Destination: Helvey Mill Shelter

Today's miles: 14.0
Total miles: 589.2

We had planned a 24 mile day today (not preferable, but nearly unavoidable in order to get to Pearisburg in our desired time due to the spacing of the shelters and campsites) but we had to adjust given Magge's tough day yesterday.  We added an extra day to our leg to Pearisburg; we didn't pack enough food to do this, but we'll cross a road that has a little grocer where we can eat dinner one night.  This was the backup plan when we organized this leg, so it wasn't dumb luck that it worked out this way.

Today was not much easier than yesterday, as Magge was nearly wiped out after the first five miles.  We came to a pleasant creek (pictured below) where we rested for nearly an hour before continuing on.  It wasn't easy, but we arrived early enough for Magge to get plenty of rest.  I decided that Magge needed a zero day to recuperate, but at the rate we were hiking, we wouldn't get anywhere soon enough for that.  I thought the best solution was to make it to the grocery store and then have Magge picked up and driven to Pearisburg, where she could rest while I hiked by myself.  She has to earn that day off, however, as the grocery store is still over 16 miles from here.