Day 76 - Salt Log Gap to US 60/Buena Vista, VA
14.4 miles (9.3 miles shuttle into Buena Vista)
After our dry camp experience last night and fitful sleep, we were out of camp at 6:30 this morning, our earliest ever. We reached Punchbowl Shelter by 8 am, filtered and drank lots of water and ate a leisurely hot breakfast, which was actually last night's planned supper. We met a couple who are hiking the AT and have already hiked the PCT.
We left Punchbowl Shelter at 9:30, well fed, rested, and watered. Easy hiking this morning, small climbs and steady progress, we actually felt like a happy family, everyone chatty and in good spirits after surviving our adventure last night.
We took our last break at 2:15 at Brown Mountain Creek Shelter. We were surprised by all the water here, as the trail followed a creek for what felt like miles. Plenty of foot bridges and more interestingly, the ruins of a freedman’s village from the late 1800’s.
After our break we hustled on the trail to reach VA 60 where our ride was meeting us at 3:30. We arrived at the road just in time and caught the shuttle into town where we're staying tonight at the Blue Dog Art Cafe Hostel, which is a hostel located in an old apartment on 21st street, above the cafe. The hostel is a little rough around the edges but meets our needs adequately. I wish we could afford more privacy for these town stops, and more air conditioning. But then I suppose we'd miss out on the good company. Staying at the hostel tonight are Loon, Rockin' Robin and Bruiser.
We've been tackling our usual town stop chores - grocery, laundry, and some internet work.
Padawan's new single person tarp tent was delivered here and she and @toesalad seam-sealed it this afternoon in the green space across the street from the cafe.
We ate grocery store pizza and beer for supper and I shared a Kozyshack Rice Pudding with Loon for dessert. Kozyshack is my favorite town comfort. I may have mentioned that already.
I'm going to sleep tonight in a 2nd story bedroom in quiet downtown Buena Vista, overlooking the globe shaped streetlights below. Quite a change from last night.
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