Journal Entries

Otter in his natural habitat - studying wildlife.

Being kids, and friends, and thru-hikers. Love these people.

Hilleberg in morning meadow.

Almost 6:30. I'm about to wake up the crew. But just look at this dawn.

Day 77 - US 60/Buena Vista, VA to Hog Camp Gap

6.3 miles

Today is Sunday. Usually I forget details like days of the week but since we were in town I was reminded with a closed post office and church gatherings. There is no Sunday vibe for us, in town or on the trail, it's all the same. This morning I finished the laundry, @toesalad did computer work and we repaired some gear.

We left town at 2pm, getting a ride back to the trail with Loon. I was sad to leave Buena Vista. This seems like a nice community to live in, lots of potential and a great location (close to mountains). Of course I'm just hiking through, but I liked it. When I visit new towns I often ask myself the question, "could I live here?" And I felt a yes answer to Buena Vista. But maybe I'm just missing home, wherever that it.

Getting back on the trail was a let down. Hiking up Bald Knob I was overcome with homesickness, a longing for domesticity, and a life where you drive cars and visit friends on a Sunday afternoon, not hike out of town.

And then I was overcome by hunger, ravenous. I didn't tank up enough in town, making sure instead that the kids ate a lot of food. The hostel was far enough from the grocery store that we only made one run there even though I could have easily scarfed down more snacks.

I was sobbing with homesickness and hunger. Or maybe it was just hunger. Who can tell? And I had to climb 2,000 feet. I was miserable, so I sat down and ate a bunch of food from my food bag, and there was plenty in there to choose from because we just re-supplied. @toesalad and @celine went ahead to filter water and I caught up with them at the next junction.

Our hiking day ended at Hog Camp Gap. It was a short hiking day but we didn't start till after 2pm.

I love this camp spot. It's a beautiful meadow with wild strawberries. There is a wilderness school camped out here tonight, over in the trees by the water source.

We're camping tonight with Casper and Padawan is in her new tent.

Where is home? And how can I miss something so much that I can't even define?

There's a swing here at the Hog Camp Gap where we are camping for the night. 11 year old Tenacious Bling is enjoying some "kid" time playing with her Pocket Pixie, a doll I hand stitched for her 3 years ago for Christmas. It's the one toy she brought on the trail.

Padawan @celine new single person Tarp Tent.

Padawan is a 15 year old introvert hiking the Appalachian Trail with her family, spending all day, every day, together. At the end of a long challenging day she'd like her own personal space, a tent that is her own responsibility and her own domain. We hope this change will resolve some of Padawan's hiking stresses, providing the reprieve she needs to recharge in relative solitude.

Tenacious Bling photographing a Luna moth.

Signing our names on the wall at Blue Dog Art Cafe before heading back to the trail.