More of Virginia & Rain

5/21/17

• Miles hiked: 15.5
  
• Shelter: tent at 585.5 near Trail Boss trail crossing

We had a rainy boring day. We hiked all day without any views. We listened to podcasts and finished another audio book. I took a few photos but really today was just about walking the miles. 

You would think we would get used to walking in the rain, but I don't think it's possible. Rain is still miserable. 

More green. 

The rain does bring out these little guys. They add a bit to color to a rainy green forest. 

5/22/17

• Miles hiked: 11
• Shelter: tent near mile 595

The day started in rain again. But it ended pretty quickly and we were able to get our stuff out to dry. Trees are the perfect place to hang your wet gear. 

 

We passed some cloudy views but they seemed to be clearing, giving us hope for the rest of the day!

We were looking forward to seeing Momma and Papa Bear later on so we packed up quickly and headed 5 miles to the meet up point.

It was so good to see them. We ate lunch, did a quick resupply at the Dollar General and tailgated a bit to enjoy the sun which finally decided to show up. 

They also brought me some new shoes!!! The new ones have a much better smell!!

It was sad to say goodbye but we must continue north. Here a few more photos of the 6 miles we hiked the rest of the day. 

We always follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out what we pack into the woods. When we came up to a trash can in the woods that gets emptied regularly, it was a good sight!

It came with one caveat...

600 Miles

More on Leave No Trace principles here... LNT

5/23/17

• Miles hiked: 14
• Shelter: tent at Dismal Falls

So much more rain. 

We hiked 12 miles in the rain to an iconic spot on the AT, Trents Grocery. With a grill inside and a place for a shower and some laundry, we pleasantly waited out some of the rain here. I did laundry and showered and eventually we headed back out into the rain. 

We hiked 2 miles to Dismal Falls where there was plenty of room to set up our tent because no one goes to a waterfall... In the rain. 

Except maybe this guy...

We ended the day with drinks we packed out from the store in our tent as we tried to as much as we could dry. It was in fact, Dismal.