More of the same today, doing what I've begun calling "The Virginia Thing," which is basically trail that climbs up 1,000-2,000 feet and then rides a flat ridgetop before making a steep descent of 1,000-2,000 feet. Repeat a few hundred times and that's my impression of a good deal of the trail in Virginia.
Mile 640
Slept in and got a late start from the motel at around noon today after packing up my ever-growing food bag. Just cruised along taking my time since I decided to watch my shin splint and not go very far. So far, it hasn't acted up since the day coming into Pearisburg.
Pearisburg Zero Day
Decided to take a full zero today to rest and ice my shin splint rather than run my town errands and get back on the trail. Seems to be a bit better today.
Pearisburg
With cooler weather in the 50s and cloudy skies, the temperature had definitely turned my direction and miles were ripe for the picking. So, today was a perfect day to bang out some miles and get into my next town stop.
VA 606
You'd think that sometimes you have to lose your head before you start to see things in focus. Well, for me, that day was yesterday. In hot sunshine, with a body that just doesn't seem to work right in the heat, I couldn't seem to muster the mental strength to overcome the day--something I'm rarely if ever able to forgive myself for. But today, it pours, and I'm back in focus.
Jenny Knob
Not much to report today. Just a long and rather boring 20-miler along waterless ridgeline--oh yes, again in hot, humid weather. Enjoyed rock-hopping a bit this morning as the trail crossed a creek about 15 times in a couple of miles. Luckily, I didn't fall in at any point.
Jenkins
Beautiful ridge and grassy top on Chestnut Knob, but it was a long climb to get there. Neat shelter on the summit with steel cables to hold the roof on in severe wind--makes you wonder what the wind is like up there sometimes. I guess it's a good thing this shelter is fully enclosed!