Day 63

Origin: Johns Hollow Shelter

Destination: VA 60 (then to Buena Vista) 

Today's miles: 20.1

Total miles: 803.1

One of the big differences is my daily routine now that I'm alone is that I'll get up and on the trail much earlier.  It took us usually an hour and a half to get ready in the morning, which was too long for me and I would get antsy.  This morning I woke up at 6:00am and I was on the trail at 6:30am.  Those who know me know that I'm typically not a morning person, but out here it's different.  I love being in the woods early - it's quiet, it's cool and I love the way the morning sun filters through the forest.  

I had to cover 20 miles by 3:00pm to catch a shuttle into town, so I pushed my pace early.  By noon, I realized that I had plenty of time so I had a pretty relaxed time after lunch.  I found the perfect creek, sat on a rock in the middle of it, and soaked my feet in the refreshingly cold water.  I had been staring off into space for I don't know how long when another hiker came along and said, "A slice of heaven, ain't it?" and I couldn't agree more.  I then walked through an area that had been a community for freed slaves until the 1920s.  All that was left were remnants of stone walls, but it was interesting to imagine people trying to make a living in this dense forest.

I got to the highway a little before 3:00pm and waited for my shuttle, but it never came.  Another hiker joined me in waiting but we eventually gave up and tried to hitch a ride into town.  We couldn't get a bite - a big difference from experiences in Georgia and North Carolina - until we offered a guy pulling out of his driveway some money.  Once in town I ate dinner and then spent the rest of the night on the phone with Magge and family and trying to arrange travel for some trips we'll be taking once I'm done. Unfortunately, the hostel where I'm staying is out of beds so I'm on a couch that is too short for me, so I'm not anticipating a good night's sleep.