Start: Thunder Hill (AT mi 772.2). Stop: Glasgow, Virginia (AT mi 787.2). Today’s miles: 15 miles. Total AT mileage: 1420.9 miles
I slept something awful. I tossed and turned and itched.. I was hot on the flat mattress. Sheesh. Either way, I got up at 6:30 and got ready. Charlie had breakfast (French toast, yum) ready for me by 7. LongWalker drove me up to the Thunder Hill area and let me out on the Blue Ridge Parkway, at the AT crossing. I headed north on the trail.
It was misty and damp. It must have rained up here in the mountains, but it wasn’t raining now. It was just slick in some places. I past a couple places that would have had incredibly beautiful views, if I wasn’t still in the clouds. I didn’t mind though. The damp had the greenery shining, giving it a mystical vibe. I loved it! The spider webs were out in full force, but I put on my bug net and walked. Knowing I was getting picked up at the end of the day kept my irritation at bay pretty well.
The trail was almost all downhill all day. But not the knee jarring, oh my God kill me now, downhill. It was gently sloped, almost unnoticeably so. I stopped at a rock at noon to eat the sub I got last night. When I checked my app, I had already gone 9 miles (since 8:30), and still had 6 to go. I messaged Charlie and told him I though I would get to the James River Bridge by 3pm at the latest. I was assuming I’d be a little early, like maybe 2:45, but I didn’t want anyone sitting there waiting on me and me end up being late.
I ended up walking across the bridge at 2:05! Almost an hour earlier than expected! Whoa. But, LongWalker was already there, fishing at the river. I sat on the banks with him for a bit. We were waiting for one more hiker, coming from the other direction. When he showed up, Satellite, we packed in the car and headed back to the hostel.
When we arrived, Jerzy was there!! He got to the hostel this morning! As I was chatting with him, Thorny and Popeye, the guys that stayed at the shelter on top of the Priest, came out to say hi!! They’re here tonight too! I was so happy! Seeing so many familiar faces! I chatted with Jerzy while those two showered (they were there before me), and then they came out to let me know they were done with the bathroom.
I quickly showered, so Satellite could get in. I started my laundry, suddenly very happy with the Gain I bought yesterday. Afterwards, I sat outside with everyone. Satellite joined us after his shower. We hung out, talked, enjoyed each other’s company. A hiker appeared from the road. His name is LongShot and he’s doing a yo-yo! He started in Georgia, made it to Maine, and then turned around to hike back to Georgia! Incredible or insane, or both!
We all ordered dinner, I got baked ziti that came with a side salad and garlic bread. Y’all, I ate every single bite. I’m going to have to watch myself when I’m no longer burning 6000 calories a day. Lol. As if that weren’t enough, Charlie made peach cobbler for everyone! I ate all of that, too. I’m shocked I’ve even lost a pound (per this scale here I’m down from 194 pounds to 160). I’ll take it!
Sitting outside talking, most of these men are veterans. Popeye was in the Vietnam war, like my favorite Aunt’s daddy, Kennith. Listening to him talk got me a bit emotional, wishing I had Kennith here, too, and to get one of his hugs. I love that man so much, and his hugs used to let you know how much he loved you, too. They were the best. Because of that war and the agent orange they used, Kennith passed away several years ago due to heart failure. I think of him often, and I miss him terribly.
Anyway, Jerzy and Satellite were talking about their draft numbers for that war. They didn’t end up getting drafted, but Popeye said he volunteered. Charlie was in the navy. LongWalker, LongShot, and Thorny were all in the army. I was surrounded by some pretty amazing guys. Hearing their stories and listening to their explanations for how things happened and how different the world is now made for a night I won’t soon forget.
I talked quite a lot with Satellite, too. He is a retired lawyer and is finishing his AT hike this year, after 3 years of hiking on and off. His story is a pretty inspirational one. It’s people like these guys that make me truly appreciate every moment I’m given, not just on trail, but in life in general. We swapped some book recommendations that I’m excited about. He’s an avid reader.
Not much after 8pm, I was in my bunk and asleep. I passed out with the light still on! I’m writing this the next day, because I couldn’t even be bothered to stay awake long enough to type it out! I guess the lack of sleep finally caught up. I hope y’all slept well, too!