Day 69 - VA 311 to Daleville, VA
19.8 miles
Left Four Pines at 8 am this morning. Got a ride back to VA 311 with a couple other hikers, who rode in the box of Joe's truck as we took up all the space in the cab.
We started hiking at 8:15 am and got into Daleville around 5:45 pm. This was our longest day this week and it felt like it, even without packs.
Hiked McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs today. Loved Tinker Cliffs with the trees to our right and cliff on the left. Hiked a long ridge after Lamberts Meadow Shelter to Daleville. We kept asking, "when will this end?" That 10 mile stretch seemed to take forever.
We expected an easier hike down into Daleville but it was challenging. I think the miles into Daleville and the rocky ridge around Hay Rock would make for a great day hike.
@toesalad left us at around 4:30 and went ahead at a faster pace to get into town before the outfitter closed and Otter took the pack for the last hour.
Kids and I hiked down into town, finally emerging out of the woods onto US 220 at 5:45. We walked down to the Howard Johnson Express, which is really close to the trail. Discovered the pool was filled and ready for guests, checked in, and got pizza across the road at Pizza Hut.
@toesalad and I did the math and decided that we will zero tomorrow because we have a lot to get done and it doesn't make sense to have the added stress of leaving the motel and trying to find free wifi, etc.
I was so relieved with this decision and so happy for the kids that there is a pool here and it's even filled with water.
This evening we started to watch a movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, to help us unwind from the stress and exhaustion of the day. And just as we started watching Otter threw up.
Looks like it might be another long night in a motel room with a sick kid. Poor Otter.
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