Legs and Borders

It's amazing how quickly the body can recover after a virus, yesterday I was a walking zombie, today my energy levels were reasonable, food started tasting good as well which was a big relief. Of course the weather and low elevation of the trail helped a lot, along with the electrolytes given to me by Persuasion. Half of the day the trail was running along the Blue Ridge Parkway and I must admit it was extremely difficult not to step out and just follow the road but I was being a purist so far on the AT and that's how I wanted to keep things going, so the forest path it was. I've seen another two black rat snakes along the trail, I got quite used to them at this point, I'm almost not jumping when I see one on the trail, they are harmless and kind of cute. I've also spotted another bog turtle, this one was much smaller than the ones I've seen before, it was still giving me a good hiss when I was lifting it off the trail! ...

I managed to survive the night fairly well, no vomiting, no diarrhea but my energy levels were so low that I just couldn't hike. I gave it my best go and ended up one mile up the trail setting the tent back up. Norovirus has temporarily disabled me, I had no appetite but started to drink water with electrolytes to keep hydrated. The only picture I've taken that day was taken from inside of my tent. I'll let Bill Bryson take the lead here as there's not much else to be said about today, sorry. "The woods were full of peril - rattlesnakes, and water moccasins and nests of copperheads; bobcats, bears, coyotes, wolves and wild boar; loony hillbillies destabilized by gross quantities of impure corn liquor and generations of profoundly unbiblical sex; rabies crazed skunks, racoons and squirrels; merciless fire ants and ravening blackfly; poison ivy, poison sumac, poison oak, and poison salamanders; even a scattering of moose lethally deranged by a parasitic w...

"There is a setting on the water boiler called "scald your ass" so be careful because it will scald your ass" Yeeha "I got the trail name from my grandchildren, because when I play with them apparently I say it a lot" Yeeha  A near perfect day turned into near nightmare. I'm not the one for the drama but this is unfortunately how it worked out. I've walked the remaining 11 miles to Daleville, Virginia quite quickly. Visited Wendy's restaurant for the first time ever and had overpriced, fast food breakfast style meal. Then I went to Kroger's supermarket they had a good selection and I've resupplied for five days and got another meal consisting of fried chicken, potato wedges and green beans. All together I've spend about 60$. I've carried on one more mile until BeeCh Hill Hostel, where I was planning to take a shower. Beth, the owner was a lovely old lady. Place had very comfortable beds in their bunk houses and it co...