Waking up in the Airbnb, I both reluctantly admitted I had to leave creature comforts behind and excitedly prepared to go back into the woods. There is always the pull after an off day to take another. To keep laying around and watching movies. But as tempting as it can seem, it’s never the right answer. We packed up and ate breakfast before hitting the road. Returning to the gas station we had gotten off trail at and heading back into the woods. 

As usual, woodsman left me in his dust. He headed out a minute or two before me and I didn’t see him again until I got to camp. But that was fine by me. I’m getting better at letting people pass me. My knee is doing a lot better but I’m beginning to accept that it’s just not smart to go fast right now. Not until it heals up at least and I don’t risk doing anything dumb my moving fast. 

And so I walked on at a casual pace. Enjoying the scenery. Not going too fast, but, making sure to keep moving. It was cold out and everytime I stopped, I cooled down quickly. 

I came up on blue jeans, Father Time and Jack in the Box sitting by a spring and eating lunch. I hadn’t seen Jack in the box since Damascus, he’d left a few days before I had. I caught up with them and learned that Pooh Bear was off trail at the moment because in a crazy stroke of bad luck he had ended up in the hospital with norovirus, Lyme disease and a fractured ankle. Yikes! 

The rest of the day was spent walking along the blue ridge parkway. So along with my plodding steps, I got beautiful views in all directions. I looked out over the valleys from high up while somehow no cars seemed to pass all day. Tomorrow is the start of the long weekend so maybe that will change? But for now it’s beautiful. 

I got to our selected campsite, which was just a picnic table on the side of the road with a fire pit and space for 2 tents. When I showed up it was just woodsman and Baby Talk. Then water boy came in. Then Father Time and Blue Jeans. Then Jack in the box. Then Baby Talk’s friends showed up. It was Too Hot, who I had met a few days back, and her parents. For a lousy campsite especially, it was packed! Tents filled the grassy section next to the road and spilled back into less idea spots. 

Too hot’s parents, however, seemed to be prepared for this. They hopped out of the car with snacks, beer, drinks and smiles for all. We sat around the stone picnic table having ourselves a party until it got too cold and we moved towards the fire pit. 

The winds are gusting and it’s supposed to get very cold tonight. But it’s warm in the hammock at least!

Key stats:

Miles: 20

Elevation gained: 4,700 ft 

Mile marker: 750

Low temperature tonight: 39