Fatigue is starting to set in

Physically exhausted. Mentally fried. This is my body's current state. And it feels absolutely amazing.

I woke up at 5:45AM and was on trail at 6:15AM. I forgot to mention Hardbound was with me in the shelter last night. However he was meeting Angie(wife) at Big Meadows Lodge so he can return to Roanoke for his nurse's retirement dinner. I said goodbye this morning fully knowing I won't see him again on trail for a while, if at all.

For those of you that were interested, I stayed on trail all day yesterday. That was not the case today.

In fact, I spent a vast majority of the day walking Skyline Drive. The only downside to road walking is that it does hurt the bottom of your feet after a while. Small price to pay for effortless walking.

I rolled into Skyland Lodge around 11:00AM. The lady at the gift shop was very rude, so I left there quickly. I was back walking at 11:30AM. I started out on the actual trail, but quickly hopped back on Skyline Drive for the rest of the day.

At Thorton Gap I rejoined the AT for the 1.2 miles walk to the shelter. At the shelter I caught up with Cookie, who did a short day(15 miles) to let me catch up with him. Also at the shelter are two section hikers from Baltimore, Maryland whose names are Zack and Emily.

Tomorrow I shall aim for 23.6 miles, allowing me to walk to the road crossing for Front Royal the following morning.

Fatigue is starting to set in, I think I shall lay down.

And that's the way it was.

Kirby

Ga>ME 2008.