I didn't sleep well last night. I had a really hard time getting into deep sleep. Every time I felt like I was drifting off, I would snap awake again. Then, about 1 am, I feel my stomach clench and I unzipped my bug net and was just able to get my head over the edge of the hammock when I throw up. I usually keep my backpack and shoes right under my hammock, but thank goodness I didn't last night.
I go back to sleep again, only to wake up very thirsty at 3 am. I drink some water and lay back down again. My stomach clenches and once more I am trying to get my bug net unzipped, but this time I'm not so lucky and throw up on the side of my hammock and into one of my shoes. Yuck! Thank goodness I have a Zofran prescription; I take one and put it under my tongue.
GG and I wake at 6 am. My stomach is roiling, but I don't throw up again. I judiciously sip water, knowing I will need it for the 8 miles and 1,000 feet of gain today, but I really don't feel well. I take some vanilla powder mixed with coffee granules for my breakfast and sip on it as I hike.
The hike is gorgeous. We are continuing along Peter's Mountain ridge, which is broad, flat, and heavily wooded. The understory is thick with ferns and other woodland plants. The azaleas are in bloom with lots of hot pink and pretty orange flowers. Lady slippers orchids are prolific here as well.
We drop down the ridge to the next shelter and I chug a half liter of water, which I tolerate well. Hopefully I just ate something that didn't agree with me last night. I tell GG that there is a road up ahead, about a half mile, where the shuttle will be picking us up. She goes ahead of me while I drink a little more water.
The trail doesn't cross the road but I see a little blue blaze side trail that must take us to the parking area. I go down the trail and see a SUV with the lift gate open. But GG is not there! Oy! I drop my pack and apologize to the driver while I take off at a run on the trail, yelling for GG. I hope she doesn't have her earbuds in!
Running while dehydrated on an upset stomach is not good! I don't know how long I can keep this up, but thankfully as the trail turns up a hill she answers my yell. Ten minutes later we are heading back to Pearisburg.
I made arrangements to park my truck at the next hostel up the trail called Four Pines Hostel, at trail mile 705. Hot Tamale, the manager of Angel's Rest will have someone pick me up from Four Pines and bring me back here, then we will catch a shuttle back to Peter's Mountain tomorrow morning. This woman is super organized to have so many shuttles running in so many directions all day long!
Our She Shed is already reserved, so GG elects to stay in the bunkhouse but I prefer to camp out in the side yard, where several tents and hammocks are already set up. GG showers and relaxes while I reposition the truck and get returned to Angel's Rest, which takes about two hours. I see the biggest lab ever at Four Pines. This dog must be 150 pounds!
Upon my return, we walk down a trail from the hostel to a strip mall with a grocery store and a chinese buffet. GG has never eaten at one, and I am so glad my stomach has tolerated food and water very well today. I stick to egg drop soup and chicken with vegetables. I do eat two plates full, though!
We return to the hostel satiated, and say goodnight as we retreat to our respective sleeping spaces. The bunkhouse is full, and the tents are filling the backyard, with more people just arriving. I think it's fair to say we are now in the leading edge of the hiker bubble!
Today's Stats: 6 miles, 846 feet elevation
Trail Stats: 657 miles, 156K feet gain
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