Project Eveningland

2/26/2023 Sunday

The rain ceased overnight. The winds got drier as morning arrived, to the degree that the rainfly began drying. There were lots of folks at the shelter area. A small shelter and privy surrounded by tent sites tucked amid low shrubbery and rhododendron. The higher numbers feel more normal for the AT.

I got a late start. The weather cleared—we even got some sun. I broke out my dorky blue sun hat. Mostly hiked alone today, but spent a bit of time hiking near Miss E., the sociologist, painter, and short-but-fast Ukrainian-Israeli woman who is gonna join us for a ride into Franklin with Will’s parents—we will leave from Rock Gap.

I hit the 100 mile mark on Albert Mt. just before lunch. The walking after that steep ascent (it goes just about vertical) became easier and easier. There were swooping ridge paths cut into thick jungles of rhododendron.

I saw two new shelters (one new-ish [2012] and the other a rebuilt shelter in the same spot as the old one—it just got a roof this past week I heard). Both are large, blocky, two-level affairs. I could smell the fresh wood glue (or maybe just wood?) from the trail near Rock Gap Shelter. More low rhododendron forests. It is its own canopy.

I was the last one to the parking lot at the end of a 12 mile day. The others must have gotten town fever worse than I did. You want to be in town, you want town food, and you let that trick you into going fast and skipping breaks/snacks. Then you arrive in town a rage monster. I had to remind myself to stop for a full lunch. Also, I wonder if those nuts and seeds balance my blood sugar somewhat—fewer highs and lows. There was trail magic at Rock Gap but I didn’t partake. I was too curious about Will and his parents. I wanted to observe.

Will’s parents drive a sweet old GMC conversion van. Here’s a mystery I intend to solve at dinner tonight: why do they have an old van? They must have money. His dad was a contractor. Will’s answer: cheapness is a habit.

Bill had some bad luck. No rooms left at the Hampton Inn. Now there’s a tale as old as time. He left lickety split to go to another hotel. Will said we could have gotten him a cot in our room. I felt bad for Bill, but I didn’t feel that bad!

I’m gonna book accommodations for tomorrow. Everybody is zeroing. This hotel doesn’t have any rooms tomorrow it would appear.

We went for dinner at a very very slow Pizza Hut. Don’t worry, Benny, I tipped generously even though the service sucked.