Appalachian Trail (day 64) - Salisbury [Zero Day] / mile 1507

"Minimize the uphill, maximize the slack pack" California

It was supposed to be super rainy today and at this point I saved up enough time to have a first actual day off since starting the AT in April.

I was still ready to hike out in the morning but after seeing the weather forecast I started to have doubts, next section was quite technical and people were not recommending hiking it in the rain.

I've asked Vanessa if she had spaces left for tonight and she confirmed. Her place was also very affordable at 40$ per night. Accomodations ahead were getting increasingly more expensive with only motels and inns to choose from.

DeeDee called for a trip to White Hart Hotel for breakfast before the rain was supposed to start, Vanessa gave us her 25$ gift card to spend there as well. At the hotel we got joined by Indy who spend the night just outside the town at a campsite, he said the weather wasn't too bad and his tent was actually dry in the morning.

After breakfast I went to the supermarket, had my 1200 calories Ben & Jerry's ice-cream fix and went to have a nap.

At some point during the day the topic of ticks came up and someone mentioned that the nymph ticks can be as small as poppy seeds, approximately 1 out of 5 of these were carrying a Lyme disease. I've did a thorough check and found 3 of them on my body, I have no idea how long they've been there as I've never looked for ticks that small. I had to assume at this point that I got Lyme and will have to get an antibiotic treatment once I'm back in Europe, unless I'll develop symptoms before in which case I would consult a doctor before flying back to Europe.

It was a lazy afternoon consisting of more food and napping. The rain kept on falling behind the window which made me happy about the decision to stay in Salisbury for the day.

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