Again – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 34

Is it day 34? Do you count the days when you have to leave the track due to injury? A fellow hiker argues passionately that every day counts. I can’t say they are wrong. To avoid confusing people (what about days 34-55?), I started over at 34. If I post something about «How many days did it take,» hopefully I’ll remember to add them back.

Red flew out to walk with me the first two days and we stayed at Boots Off so I could pick up where I stopped. Red also enjoyed his stay there. Definitely stay if you need a hostel around there.

First day back on the trail today. He started at Boots Off and walked just over twelve miles to a tent site. 12 is a little more than it should be, but we needed the mileage to prepare for the Red ferry tomorrow and you can’t always get spots in the increments you’d like. I know this will be a theme for the next couple of weeks as I try to slowly increase the miles and resist the temptation to go too fast.

I was worried that the hiatus would cause me to miss all the spring flowers, but many things are still blooming. Mayapples covered the hills leading to Vandeventer Shelter. I even saw ladybugs blooming in the wild for the first time. Women’s sneakers are something we have been missing for years because the moment is difficult.

First time I see them in nature.

I enjoyed walking with Red today. We made many conversations about the plants we saw. Red identified an eastern towhee jumping madly close to us, about three feet away.

It’s definitely strange to go back to doing low miles when everyone is doing 15+. But I’m grateful to be able to do it again.

American cancer root. Look at it, crazy stuff

• Breakfast: Cereal, donut.
• Dinner: oatmeal
• Appetizers: Rice cakes, clif bar, fig bar
• Known Today: Lost and Found (one person)
• City weight: 165

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