Project Eveningland

5/10/2023 Wednesday

I walked to the outfitter down the road. I walked on the edge of the road—no sidewalks on the left side. Kind of slim pickings but they were very helpful.

I only managed to find socks and some shock cord to fix my tent. (The mouse from the other day also damaged the piece of tent that attached to the trekking poles, which become tent poles at night, or, one might say after dark).

Mostly today was about filling in holes in my resupply. Meds, toiletries, favored snacks which can only be had at the gas station.

There are two post offices in Waynesboro, or at least two. One of them, the one I walked a mile to, was empty with a scrawled note that hiker packages are at the main branch. I’m not waiting on a package, but I do need a clerk to help me send my defective sleeping pad to Colorado. The main post office is another mile away. Damnit. It’s too hot to be walking around all day when I’m supposed to be resting. I caved and got a ride share to the other PO. It was a stressful experience with the car waiting on me while I waited in line! Lyft kept sending me ominous warnings about how the driver is waiting and can “terminate the ride at any time.” I thought taxi meters were stressful, but this was worse.

I had a “terrible” attack of napping sickness, which has afflicted my family for generations.

I ordered food in and hoped not to have more town misadventures. But later the gas station accidentally charged me $30 for toothpaste (I’ve heard of inflation but this is ridiculous). Took the two guys forever to figure out the problem and refund me the $30. I stood there waiting for them to figure it out. I was sweating and thinking, how are these people supposed to work in this heat? I’d be making mistakes too.

I’ve got the end-of-rest blues, but it’s mild. I feel light dread when I think about the long gaps between water sources tomorrow and the forecasted heat. Also, running so low on food during the last carry made me… food shy? Not sure what else to call it, but it rattled my confidence. Lots of uncertainties on this stretch: will the waysides be open? Will they have what I need? I’ve got a huge supply of protein bars to cover my ass.

My enthusiasm will return in the morning.