Blue Stem rented a car and took Cody and I back to the trailhead around noon. He dropped us off at a hotdog/popcorn stand right at the trail head. So we had lunch before jumping off. The rest of my recent crew started a couple hours before, so they will be difficult to catch. Cody is pretty fast too so I let him hike ahead. I figure I’ll do the shanandoah solo again.
I must be hung over because I’m really low energy and struggling with some pretty flat and easy hiking. I was hoping to get 12-15 in but at around 530 the skies darken and thunder starts to erupt. I finally find a spot barely big enough for one tent at about 7 just as the rain starts. I got my tent up just in time and had to eat bars and chetoes for dinner. After ten miles I am in for the night. More rain coming tomorrow, but if I can do 17 miles I’ll have a campground store with beer. Wish me luck, happy trails.