Virginia!

Three states down, and now for the big beast: Virginia (a quarter or the trail is in VA). It was real fun to pass the sign for the TN/VA border with a gang of hikers, the stroll down into Damascus. Damascus is a town loved by hikers. There is a big event held there called Trail Days, and I think that is what earns it its status. For me what made it amazing (I'm too early for the festival) was family... and Karen! My aunt and uncle came down and rented out a bed & breakfast for us to stay in. It was a really nice place, and I remember thinking as I got settled in that it would be really cool if Karen was there, that she would like it. Then she showed up on the porch a few hours later. She came down on her birthday to surprise me and hang out for the weekend.
So it was weekend full of food and people that I've missed. Getting back on the trail was kind of hard, but I've had a great couple of days hiking all the same. It is finally spring on the trail, and I'm diggin' it.

the Smokies are done

So this post is retroactive, I haven't had internet in a hot second. Thank you all for supporting me in the way that you support me. The Smokies were a trying time for me. Good weather, but the mountains were difficult and I was being broken in during that time. Now I feel broken in.
I've been able to hike 20+ mile days since the Smokies were finished and my body became in shape. It makes me tired to hike like that, though, so it was nice to stay in this hostel last night. There was a bad storm last night, so it was cool to ride it out indoors. Now the Sandlot is on and other hikers have been popping beers and doing laundry all morning. Tempting to stick around for, but I've got my laundry clean and it is time for Monroe to hike.

the NOC

A burger and fries are on their way in a restaurant in Natahalla Outdoor Center. This is a cool place on the river here. People are kayaking today. It is warm, and the hike here was so fun! I'm hiking on after lunch to the next shelter before turning in. Tomorrow night is supposed to be bad weather, but I'd like take advantage of the great weather today.
Peace out.
~Monroe (I have started going by my middle name out here)

Off to a good start

The sun is coming up over Franklin, NC, and I am waiting for a shuttle to a free all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast being put on for the thru-hikers in town this weekend. At home I translate all-you-can-eat to "all i feel like eating, and no more", mostly because gluttony disgusts me. Now, me and the other thru-hikers just have the approach "calories, and as many as possible!" Burning so much doing exercise like we do, it is all some of us can do to not go calorie deficient. Hoards of pancakes help with that.
This week was wet and cold, though less cold because my family expressed this super warm vest and a new sleeping bag liner to me. Mist during the day, rain at night has been the weather's theme lately. It is just a drag. Then the sun came out Thursday, and it uplifted me so much. That burning thing in the sky can do wonders for the heart.
The best part of this week was going through a rough time weather-wise and hiking-wise: working harder than my body is comfortable with to get in shape, and not having a comfortable warm couch to crash on when the day is done. One of the things I find myself appreciating in town, along with showers, is padded seats.
They're cool.
But I came through a difficult week without one thought of quitting, and on the other side have recieved sufficient encouragement to bring me back to a really positive spot. This gives me confidence in the endurance which has been instilled in me. I am not giving up.

107 miles down; off to a good start.