Tue Jun 10, 2014 @ 17:00

Day 72 - Daleville to BRP 95.3 (near Harvey's Knob Overlook)

16.1 miles

Another sunny day.

Left the Howard Johnson Express at 8am this morning. Stopped for a second breakfast at Fullhardt Knob Shelter. There is a cistern at this shelter that is fed from the roof run off. No wonder the guide book says to treat your water. I was reminded of the cistern way back in North Carolina before hiking down into the NOC. That water was the most beautiful cistern I've ever seen. This roof-run was a decidedly different water experience.

It was uninspiring terrain early today and the conditions were hot and humid, though when summer comes in earnest this won't feel hot.

As we approached the Blue Ridge Parkway the terrain improved, more rocky outcroppings, and the temperature increased. It was easily 90 degrees in the parking lot. Thankfully we didn't spend much time there.

All the Lindt chocolate balls are melting in our food bag.

We ended the day at 4:30 with a dry camp at approximately mile 95.3 off the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Harvey's Knob Overlook. We set up our tents on an old overgrown road.

Today's hike felt completely manageable, in terms of miles and I was in a good mode the whole time. Amazing what two days of rest will do. Today I feel rejuvenated and at peace with hiking for the next few months. A feeling I didn't have last week as we were grinding the miles into Daleville.

Life on the trail, and at home, in never perfect and someone in our family of five is always "off", just today it wasn't me!

I've been feeling a little worried about our lack of attention to our video project, "shouldn't we be filming more stuff?". But @toesalad is emotionally drained from the last couple weeks and doesn't have the creative energy or inspiration for it. And the editors are still producing from the footage we've given them.

I'm really hoping I'm through the worst of my angst, for now, so @toesalad can focus again on the video series.

I felt really good today, best I've felt on the trail for weeks. The day didn't drag and I didn't want want to end my life for the agony of hiking.