Day 66

Origin: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

Destination: Calf Mountain Shelter (with a resupply stop in Waynesboro)

Today's miles: 12.7

Total miles: 856.0

With my brevity yesterday, I didn't mention that I got my first full-blown trail magic since our first day on the trail.  Sarah, John and King, locals who like hikers, were grilling food on a road that I was crossing and asked me if I was hungry as I walked by.  It took me by surprise because I assumed, since I never hit trail magic, that they were just making food for themselves.  They gave me a shish-kabob, baked potato, frozen strawberries, home-baked cookies and brownies and drinks. Before I came across them, I was thinking of pushing into Waynesboro for a 35 mile day, but spending 30 minutes eating ruled that out.  It was completely worth it.

This morning I walked the five miles into Waynesboro.  I needed to pick up a mail drop and buy some new socks.  My old socks tear up the skin on my heels - I assume because they've gotten too crusty to be softened with a single wash.  Yesterday, the pain was so bad that I didn't know how I would finish the day.  Luckily, a trail friend named Joyride had given me an extra pair of socks and they worked well enough to get me into town without doing more damage.  I thought about staying the night in Waynesboro to give my skin some extra time to heal, but after looking at my AT guide, I didn't like how that set up my walking schedule.  So I decided to get back on the trail after a disgustingly large lunch at McDonald's.  The drivers in this town are fantastic towards hikers.  I didn't even have to pull out my hitcher thumb as drivers were pulling over to see if I needed a ride.

I finished the day with a quick seven miles to a shelter that is overcrowded.  I hope it's just because it's the first shelter from town.  There are more tents than tent sites here, although I did arrive early enough to get a proper, flat site.  With the bugs are bad they are, I don't think I'll sleep in a shelter again unless I have to.  I did last night because I thought I was too tires to pitch my tent, but I doubt I'll make that mistake again after barely sleeping.