06/25

During our mid day break at the shelter, “Father Time” offered us a ride which we politely declined. He said he’d just finished his voluntary weed whacking of part of the trail and was headed home. Had we not just spent what feels like an eternity in Dalesville, we’d probably have taken up his generosity. A Long hot day. I Didn’t sleep well the night before, we slept with our tents open hoping for a breeze. I was kept up all night listening to the bugs writhe outside my tent. Not the sorta white noise I was looking for. The forest was dark under the new moon. Just beyond the mesh of my tent was pitch black. Deep within the echos of the abyss, your mind was left to hyperbolize each rustle of leaves that sounded “too close” for comfort. Towards the end of our day we ended up doubling back for water. This of course, added a mile or two onto our day. Felling discouraged, we staggered into camp like grumbling drunks. Bitching on our soap boxes for all to hear. Running out of money, running out of time. We have a long way to go and despite our efforts, it feels like we’ve stalled. Going no where. Sure, things like extreme heat and stomach flue are out of our control, it’s just hard to remain positive when each day begins and ends in a pool of sweat. Covered in bug bites. Our bodies are battered by endless hiking. We talked it out. Allowing ourselves to wallow in our Virginia Blues and threw together a makeshift fire ring before smoking out the tent sites swarming vermin. My parents called, and thanks to my half bar of service, I answered. My biggest fans managed to lift my spirits with impeccable timing. However even they couldn’t save me from the onslaught of mosquitoes and gats chasing me back into my tent. I laidback and took a few minutes to sit in silence. Alone with my thoughts. Trying to remind myself “why” I’m doing this. Why? I still don’t know. At this point, the answer is the 777 miles I’ve already endured. Besides, I don’t quit (unless it’s a job). I’ve always gone after what I want in life with a relentless persistency, this will be no different.