06/26

In the dead heat of Virginia summer, our tents have become ovens. If I wasn’t able to sleep in before, I’m definitely not able to now. As soon as the morning light hits the rain fly, it’s time to get up. Today was particularly hot. 90° with 100% humidity… We hiked through rattlesnake country till  around noon, when we found ourselves near a mountain stream that had a perfect little swimming hole. We decided we deserved a pool day and relaxed in the icy water, hoping to let the heat pass and resume our hike in a few hours. While the heat moved on, the rain moved in. After dawning our ponchos and deciding to hike on, we crossed the James River footbridge (the longest footbridge on the trail) and saw some kids jumping off into the river. We went about 5 more miles before making it to the next shelter. The hut was full of a boys’ church camp, led by a basketball-short-wearing, freeballing shirtless man… weird vibes all around, but we minded our business and let them sing us to sleep with their campfire church hymns.