Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Suiter Rd, VA 615, Laurel Creek (584.9 mi) to Weary Feet Hostel (609.9 mi).

Hiking Miles: 25

Total Ascent: 4,912.1 ft

Total Descent: 5,222.8

Total Grade: 406.1 ft/mi

Steps: 55,947

I woke up early and pressed the button on the coffee maker, ate two bowls of fruity/chocolate cereal, two pieces of toast with butter and homemade jam and a breakfast sandwich. After everyone ate breakfast and were about to head off on trail, I jokingly asked Bert if I could slack pack again today, and she said “Contrary” (a hiker staying at a remote cabin at the hostel) was driving to the Weary Feet Hostel and could possibly take our packs there. Stevie walked up to Contrary and inquired if he could ask a question, and Contrary replied “the answer is 14”. So Stevie said “Cool, then you will drive our packs to the next hostel for $14 so we can slack pack?” Contrary graciously said that he would take them for no money, but I was so grateful for the opportunity to slack pack big mileage again so I handed him a twenty.

I actually had no pack at all! Stevie carried my water and a few snacks. It felt so freeing that at one point I was actually running at full speed ahead of the tramily. We stopped at at deli called Bushy Mountain and we each ordered their custom burger that included a 2-inch think piece of cooked bologna. It was like eating a large burger and hot dog together in one bun. I only ate half (maybe less) of the bologna. Stevie ate the whole thing and we both had to stop to take a 15-minute power nap on trail to help with digestion. Smiles did the same!

Today was National Hike Naked Day on trail. I didn’t see it, but Smiles hiked a stretch of the trail nude and surprisingly came upon a mother and daughter hiking team. The hilarious thing about it was the two ladies were not aware of the tradition, so that made it even more awkward for the sixteen year old! Makes for a great story!

We eventually arrived at the Weary Feet Hostel before 6 pm after enduring a 15 mile stretch without water sources. We were welcomed by our incredible host Julie, who showed us around and brought us to our room.

Double Trouble, Stevie and I ate two helpings of dinner including cake (more cake – (-: ) for dessert. We washed it down with multiple glasses of fresh lemonade and Iced Tea. Julie was an amazing cook. She brought us all out seconds claiming they were “half portions”, but they definitely were full servings – so delicious!

I did laundry in a “good” machine tonight and included my clothes bags so they would be fresh as well. Stevie, me, DT and Contrary shared a room with four beds (I got the largest one – a double bed near an air conditioner that blew cold air on me the entire night). Smiles once again showed up late, ate dinner, and cowboy camped on the front lawn.