5/26/99 Trimpi Shelter   Miles Today : 20.2 Miles from Springer : 505.7

I am going to LOVE Virginia. OK, so it will probably get old and boring after two weeks and I will be ready to tear my hair out, but for now its WONDERFUL! The "climbs" are slow, gentle slopes. The descents are smooth and easy on the knees. Looking at the mountains, you can see that there really are not any "peaks" but rather long ridgelines.

Today, I said goodbye to the Grayson Highlands. The day started cold and wet again, and even hanging out to 9 didn't save me from the rain today. By the time I got to the next shelter for lunch the temperature had dropped and continued to do so until I left. At this point Cobra and No-Worries were with me.

The lunch shelter would prove to be the last views of the day and more than likely the next few days. Now the trails mellowed and I was hiking at a good clip without too much effort. By 4:00 Cobra and I had gone 16 miles and were at a road crossing just two miles from Troutedale, VA. That left just enough time for a quick trip! We hitched into town, bough some supplies and went to the local restaurant. There I gourged on a bacon double cheeseburger, fries, cloe slaw and topped it all off with a piece of Rhubarb pie!

We then hitched back to the trail and hiked the four miles to the shelter. All around a nice relaxing day, despite the 20 mile total. I think I am finally getting stronger again and after my three day haitus this weekend ( my wonderful girlfriend is coming to visit ) I think that I again will try to push myself. For now though, I am enjoying the relaxed pace.

-Chomp

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