Mile 631 Update

I've made it to Pearisburg, VA. It's off of mile 631. I got in on the afternoon of the 28th and spent the night, took a zero yesterday, and am planning on heading back out today. I was fortunate that I was here to sit out some severe weather, and I'm hoping today isn't too rough as far as that goes. The good news is that after today the weather looks really nice for a while. One day of rain is annoying, but not terrible. Three or more days of rain can be really demoralizing tho, because it never gives you a chance to dry out your gear.
All is well <3 

I love all the encouragement! It's so fun to get to town and have voicemails and texts and messages on my blog. 

Thanks loves!

Virginia

I'm currently at mile 541. I got my first mail drop with dehyrdrated meals, plus my new shoes, plus a ton of probars my mom sent (thanks Ma!). And I'm a few miles short of the quarter way mark! 

My knee is feeling back to normal. There is a guy out here who works as a physical therapist assistant and he showed me some stretches for it (Thanks Spiderman!). 

Virginia has been AMAZING! Ponies, pizza, rolling hills, and beautiful scenery. I'm in love with it. Which is a good thing since I have about 450 more miles to go in Virginia. 

He approached me and then licked my sweaty hands!

Baby pony! Oh my geersh... 

Pony selfie. 

Virginia Highlands. Awesome. 

Look how little!

500 miles- holy moley!

Lindamond School with Trail Magic! People are awesome!

I've been hiking the last few days with Reroute. She might be the most positive person I've ever met. It's been lovely. 

It's such an odd thing. When I'm in town I feel completely drained, even after a full zero day. But once I'm out on the Trail I feel so much better. My body prefers to walk all day and sleep under the stars rather than on a bunk. I love town stops, but I love getting back out on the trail even more. 

Sunset into Damascus

Town Stops!

The trail is always a little (or a lot) different than I expect. But one thing that is fairly consistent is town stops. Every 3 to 6 days there is a town. Initially when I was planning my hike I thought I'd resupply in town and move on. But I find myself incapable of passing through a town and not spending a night. Every town is unique, but some constants are way too much food, slightly shady lodging, good company, and shenanigans. 

At some point I'm going to do a post with reviews of hostels I've stayed at, but for now here are some pictures. 

Neels Gap

Blueberry Patch

Gatlinburg Hotel room- drying out my gear 

Hot Springs

Dance party!

Erwin, TN

Damascus, VA Outfitter dog getting some  loving. 

Big foot problems

I was wearing a size 11 before the Trail. Now I need a size 12. Turns out that is quite large for women's shoes and you have to special order them. I've got some  ordered and I'll have them about 75 miles from here. Fingers crossed that they fit!

Spring...maybe?

Snow?! Nah, that's just sky dandruff. 

Oh, hey there Virginia.

I did 27 miles yesterday into Damascus. I've put 3 states behind me. Only 11 more states to go!

One month on the trail today! Mile 341!

Trail lessons: Just Go with the Flow

Everyday on the trail is a little different. Some days the sun is shining and the views are picturesque and bliss is easily found. Other days it's cold, windy, and rainy with no views to be seen and I wonder what the heck I've gotten myself into. 

Just as the weather fluctuates so do the people. Some days I find myself surrounded by people who I adore. And then people slow down or speed up and I lose them for a while. But then I find other folks, or hike by myself, or catch up to someone I met weeks ago. 

I've slowly been learning that whatever plans I have won't happen how I expect them to happen. The trail has its own ebb and flow and it's easier to go with it and know things will work out than to fight it. 

Summary of the last week or so:

Got soaked to the bone in rain storms the first few days in the Smokies. 

My knee was hurting bad so I went to the doctor in Gatlinburg, he said to go easy on it and gave me a brace and a prescription pain gel. I met some amazing Trail Angels in Gburg who got me to the Doc and fed me multiple meals and were a complete goddess send. 

I finished the Smokies with much better weather and the knee felt much better.

 I'm currently in Hot Springs with good folks at a sweet hostel. 

The trail is hard. The terrain is often unforgiving and the weather a wild card. And I couldn't be happier to be precisely where I am.