05/05

Dropped off by the shuttle at Davenport Gap, leaving behind our comfortable hotel beds and re-entering the green tunnel. Woo hoo.

Our driver was a one legged former thru hiker from Florida who talked like he’d seen war. He wished us luck, told us we were “gonna hate this part,” then drove off before we could change our minds.

In true Appalachian Trail fashion, and what now feels like a contractual obligation, it was straight up. Straight up the mountain with a full resupply pack and legs still recovering from two days of soft living. My feet, immediately began protesting. They’d clearly adjusted to civilian life and were begging to turn around.

Not even a mile in, Nick slipped on wet river rocks and went down hard. No injuries, just the kind of slow motion fall that earns you the trail name “slip”.

We managed about nine and a half miles. Not a huge number, but every step felt like walking through quicksand. I was dragging…sluggish, foggy, vaguely nauseous. Could’ve been the fried food, could be norovirus, could be Lyme disease. Who’s to say. I briefly considered checking myself for ticks but realized I wouldn’t know what I was looking for anyway.

It started to rain mid-afternoon. Not a real rain, just an annoying mist that clings to your skin and sours your mood. I was out of it. With the immune system of a medieval peasant child, I’m a magnet for the plague. I told myself that I was just readjusting to the hike, but I know that feeling all too well. I was getting sick…

Camp was at least decent. A pretty spot, among tall trees and familiar faces. Sitting at the picnic table, we ate our instant mash potatoes and made a few new friends. I wasted no time washing my dishes before scurrying to my tent, hoping to sleep off whatever has come over me.

Our first night with the new quilts. Not sure if shaving a pound and a half was a good move or a one way ticket to hypothermia, but it’s what we’re working with. The night is getting colder, fast. My body aches and like Elvis, I feel my temperature rising… love it.