300 Miles
Miles: 13.5
We’re at 300 miles now! Blueberry pancakes were good this morning at the hostel. Any hostel with included breakfast is an instant 5 stars from me. I got really home sick today just thinking about my dog and friends (and family) (and my morning cereal binge with a cup of fresh Florida orange juice). I hiked mostly alone today and I’m camping alone again. I split my miles per day up equally to Erwin. Everyone else is either rushing there or doing big miles to do a nearo into town. Yuri stayed at the shelter to try and recover from his terrible shin splints. I don’t want to push too many miles in one day because around the 300 miles mark seems to be where everyone starts developing ankle/leg/foot problems from misuse or fatigue. Also I don’t think Erwin is gonna be better than Hotsprings and Hotsprings wasn’t out of this world other than the cool air bnb and good diner food. The only notable thing that happened in Erwin is that they hanged an elephant from a crane for murder. I don’t think the elephant got a lawyer which is kinda effed. But yeah I’m camping in a really pretty field under a lone tree on Big Butt Mountain. Yes the mountain is called that. Really pretty here it has a view off a cliff. Had curry for dinner. Lots of ticks though but I have been checking and my tent bug net keeps them outside. The premetherin spray on my pants kept most of them off and I really made sure my tent is clear after getting in it. So I’m just trusting the Durston. It already saved me from a widowmaker so I really believe in its power. Also ticks will be everywhere in Virginia and way more prevalent from here onwards. There’s just so much grass everywhere. Gotta trust my gear. Anyways I’ve been thinking of maybe going home for a week if the gang outpaces me. I don’t think it’s cheating also I’m doing this for fun. The cost of travel would be bad but I miss Florida so much hahaha and seeing pictures of my dog makes me get a lump in my throat :,(