9/17/24
The rain poured last night but right now the drops are intermittently hitting the tarp; dripping off the leaves of the trees high above. I am awake at 4:30 am, but I lay in my hammock for another half hour before getting. There is not a drop of ambient light so I dismantle my camp in the dark. At least it's not raining right now, but I put everything inside the empty shelter and load up my pack there in case it starts again. I leave the shelter and pick my way down the trail by the light of my headlamp.
I only have to hike a couple miles to the James River Bridge. I am thankful the trail isn't too steep or rocky, and by the time I reach level ground the sun has risen enough that I can turn off my headlamp.
Today is my anniversary! 30 years together, but my husband didn't take off work until tomorrow, so I decided to come out here instead of sitting around the house. I'm glad I got a few more miles in, but I'm ready to get home and cleaned up.
I get confused with the white blazes and take a wrong turn at a public boat launch at a road crossing. Thankfully I realize my error within minutes and I am on the right route almost immediately.
I emerge out of the woods back at the James River Bridge. I have a thirty minute wait for my pick-up when a woman older than me comes walking off the bridge from the opposite direction. She identifies herself as Whisper and she is section hiking alone.
The women have totally outnumbered the men on this section!
A few minutes before 8, a red car pulls up. We are on our way back to Glasgow, where my vehicle is parked.
It wasn't until I got home that the driver texted to let me know I forgot my hiking poles in his car, but he is going to ship them to me.
Today's stats: 1.8 miles, 92 feet ascent, 469 feet descent
Trail stats: 809 miles, 183K ascent, 187K descent
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