Due to service issues, day 59 and day 60 will both come out today

There were so many emotions waking up today after two days off.  I wanted to stay in bed forever. I wanted to get back to hiking. I wanted to stay in the climate controlled environment. I wanted to move my legs again. I wanted to be horizontal. It felt a bit like a Monday. But for a job I really like. I was sad the weekend was over, but also excited to get back to work. 

The last two days had been great. Wed lounged around our motel room, swam in the motel pool, watched countless hours of tv, gone to the movies, gone to a games bar, did our laundry, ate at an all you can eat Chinese buffet and so much more. We fit a months worth of activities into 2 days off in waynesboro. 

Waynesboro, refers to itself as the friendliest trail town. And I think they’ve earned that right. Everyone we met was super friendly and the town has pulled together a list of trail angels who offer hikers free rides around the town. So after finishing our breakfast, we called one of those shuttles and hit the road. 

The three of us, rocket, babytalk and myself left in a line. None of us really chatting much but not far away from each other. We were entering shenandoah national park and didn’t know what to expect. One woman had told us that the park would be “relief on our bodies” but we were dubious. 

Pretty soon, we realized she had been right. While there was still a lot of climbing, the rises were gradual and the trail was mostly wide, well maintained and free from dangerous rocks. My left knee, my bad one, was feeling great. It was loving the Shenandoahs from the moment we touched the first pine needle. My right knee, however, decided that it wanted some attention now. It didn’t scream at me like the left one had. But it nudged me a few times – forcing me to consider switching the knee brace from my left to my right. 

The day continued on like that. It was cruisy with rolling hills and gentle gradients. The views were lovely and the mountain laurel flowers were out in full force. The trail disappeared continuously into bouquets of white and pink flowers. Even nature rolled out the welcoming mat as I saw a bear, deer, bunnies and more!

The only downside of the day was the wind. It gusted continuously, reaching highs of over 30mph. I strapped on my hat as tight as I could and hoped for the best. Even with that, I found myself scared a few times that I would lose it. But at least the wind kept it cool. 

We had agreed that it was time to up our mileage. 25 mile days, we said, would be the new goal. So with that in mind, today was set to be 26. I had been nervous in the motel room and nervous as we started. But once I saw what the Shenandoah were all about, I knew it wouldn’t be an issue. Even with a few pangs in my right knee, I felt great all the way to camp. 

We camp in a semi-legal spot down a side trail near a spring and a park owned rental cabin. After setting up camp, we hung out and ate the dinners we had packed out from Walmart. I devoured a mediocre footlong Italian sub like my life depended on it.

And while we were doing that and generally catching up on our days, we heard a voice from the cabin above us. It was not a friendly voice but one that was clearly yelling at her husband with the intention that we hear. “I didn’t spend all this money,” it shouted, “to rent a cabin where I can see HIKERS.”

We all looked at each other before bursting out laughing. We silently apologized that she had to be so close to the Appalachian trail and see Appalachian trail hikers. We could hear her continue to berate her husband that we were there. There was a minute where we thought he might come down to us, but the ruckus eventually ended and we agreed we should maybe get out early tomorrow. Just in case the rangers come.

Key stats:

Miles: 26

Elevation gained: 5,800 ft

Mile marker: 891

Grumpy women: 1