I moved slowly leaving camp. Once again I didn’t feel 100% but also, once again, I felt much stronger than yesterday. Part of it was definitely leaving noro in the rear view. But the other part was I was excited for today. While Harper’s ferry had been the unofficial halfway point, I was set to cross the mathematical halfway point today. 

It had rained over night so the trail was soaked today. That meant it was easy to find water to stay hydrated. But it also meant that I was back to hopping from rock to rock in a desperate, but failing, attempt to keep my shoes dry. Every half hour or so, just as I felt my feet begin to dry out, I’d misjudge a mud puddle or slip off a rock and find myself back with soaked toes. 

I gave up trying to make good time. I knew it was going to be a longer day if I wanted to make it to camp with rocket and baby talk and so I walked purposefully but slowly. But when I saw the monument, I skipped forward a bit. Halfway! I had made it halfway! If we were to round, I’d done the whole trail. I paused for some celebratory photos, forgetting all my exhaustion and my wet feet. And then I kept going. 

5 miles later was a state park with a convenience store. The store was known for one thing – the half gallon challenge. Hikers were challenged to eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. as I walked up I saw 3PO agnozing over his last few bites. “2.5 hours,” he said. “Of absolute pain. You going to do it?” I wasn’t. I kind of wanted to, I admitted. But with noro still visible in the rear view, I just wasn’t ready for the ramifications. For the sake of my stomach and those around me, I settled for a single scoop of ice cream and a lemonade. 

The rest of the walk to camp was smooth. I felt my body start to loosen up as if it was finally admitting to itself that I was going to walk. My legs seem to realize that they could either complain and be miserable or just suck it up. Thankfully, they had decided to suck it up. 

As my body was good to me, I decided to treat it to a creek soak. As I got to camp (again, across the way from rocket and baby talk), I walked over to the creek and walked in ankle deep. I iced my sore ankles and joints, feeling all the blood rush out and watching the swelling die down. My feet once again resembled feet, not over stuffed sausages. 

I sat on a log across the fire from the other two as I ravaged through my food bag. My appetite seems to have finally come back and I ate everything I could get my hands on. Two packs of ramen didn’t even begin to slow me down, I snacked and snacked and then snacked some more. I felt almost normal as we sat around the blazing hot fire. Although again, I found myself suddenly rushing off to bed when the sleep hit out of nowhere. 

Key stats: 

Miles: 28

Elevation gained: 3,300 ft

Mile marker: 1117

Amount of trail remaining: Less than 50%