Trail Day 26 - We meant well - Prof

We came close to doing another big mile day, we ended up doing 12. 

The morning started cold but sunny. I was somewhat disappointed that I wasn't going to get the chance to sleep in, but being dry wasn't terrible. Once I got going the miles flew by and I was soon out of the national park. Clouds slowly drifted in as the morning passed but the rain kept away. 

There was an Italian restaurant in Front Royal that had a great price on a huge stromboli so Doc and I made our way into town. I made it in the door just as rain drops started to fall. The food tasted great but let's be honest, at this point all food does.  Hiker hunger is hitting me for sure. After eating our fill we decided to try to get to a shelter further down the trail. The rain had let up and it was just overcast. 

The first two miles out of town took us by an exotic animal park but I wasn't lucky enough to see anything. Then it began to rain. With the temperature being low already the rain quickly sapped the energy I had. I stopped at the first shelter I came across. Doc had the same idea and had his hammock slung in the middle of the shelter. We stopped here for the night a short day but we can easily make up the miles if we chose to in the next couple of days. 

There wasn't much to see today other than deer that let you walk within several feet of them. Hopefully there will be more tomorrow. I guess the shelter that is 5 miles after the one we are staying at has a large amount of copperheads nearby so maybe I'll get lucky and can snap a picture of one. The weather looks like it should be getting better the next couple of days.

Well tonight is my first night staying in a shelter and I'm not tired and everyone else is already asleep. So far it doesn't seem anyone is snoring. I'd like to hope it will stay that way but once I fall asleep I'll probably start. But at least I don't have to be kept awake by it, sucks to be everyone else. 

-Prof