It’s amazing how slowly things change on the trail. And then how fast they change when something unexpected happens. I was all set up for a nice 18 mile day. First I’d make my highest climbs of the day in the relatively cool 75* of the morning. Then I’d hit a shelter at the 9 mile mark for lunch, then hike 9 more miles flat and downhill in the afternoon to stay at Brown Mtn. Creek Shelter. The next day, I’d sleep in as much as my body would allow me and then hike the 2 miles to the road where my bro would pick me up for a leisurely weekend at his house. My fiancée, Heather, was due sometime past noon on Saturday, so I’d have time to clean up and then enjoy the rest of Saturday and take a zero day on Sunday.

This morning was beautiful again. It was great weather for the fourth day in a row. The climbs passed easily and the view from the highest parts allowed me to see where I’d hiked the prior 2 days as well as the trail leading up to Shenandoah National Park 65 miles ahead of me. I took a lunch break at Punchbowl Shelter, expecting Condor, Wildcat and El Blanco to catch me as I was eating, then to hike alone again to the next shelter.

Instead, not only did Punner and Alabama catch up with me during lunch, but to my huge surprise, Rockhound and Hoplite caught up! I’d expected them to fall behind and pass me while I was off the trail, instead they’d put on some serious miles and were planning on spending the evening with me before I took off! That changed everything because Rockhound had a cell phone! My lunch break slid into a 3 hour siesta as I hung out with the guys and considered my options. I ended up borrowing Rockhound’s cell phone, calling my brother and arranging a pickup for 8pm that evening 11 miles up the trail. Hoplite, Rockhound and I then made time to the next shelter. I upended my food bag and let them rummage through my remaining supplies, since I was going to eat real food and sleep in a real bed—after a shower—that night!

This wasn’t just a town stop. This was the first time I was going to see Heather and Tally since I left Massachusetts on March 11! I had a hard time not running up the trail, but the knowledge that my brother might not show up early and I was just going to have to wait by the road slowed me down. Good thing, too—I found some absolutely beautiful beech trees reaching roots down alongside a rocky stream.

Turned out D showed up just as I got out of the woods—perfect timing! He and I backtracked down the trail with a bag of goodies to leave for the thru-hikers to find the next morning, then hit his car for the ride back to the house. My sister-in-law and goddess of my mail drops, Melicca, had Chinese food waiting at the house. Clean, well fed and relaxed, I’m waiting to see Heather on Saturday…