Days 69 – 72: Passing time…

4 days piled up because they were all zeros and not many things happened…

Day 69 – Escape from Luray

This morning I woke up and realized my phone wasn’t charging overnight. After a lot of troubleshooting, I determined that my wall charger was working and I needed to get a new one.

I got a text at 8am saying my trip was on its way, so I rushed to get all my stuff together. I then changed the bandages on my foot and before I could sort things out with Alison, my transport arrived. I quickly settled into the hostel and headed out the door. I got into a van that was packed with wet and stinky hikers! Luckily, all but one were familiar faces and I was squished in with them. Fozzy’s dad was our driver and he picked them all up in Shenandoah National Park, just a few miles from where I dropped him off a couple days ago. Our first stop was the supermarket to pick up some food and drinks for the weekend. We then headed to Massanutten Resort, where the condo was located. Upon arrival we left our suitcases in the room and were immediately invited to breakfast. Scrambled eggs and sausages, pancakes and a variety of drinks and fruits. After breakfast, the others, wet and dirty from the trail, showered and washed clothes while I got settled, as I had been out of the elements for the past few days and didn’t need either. The rest of the morning and early afternoon consisted of walking around the condo and having a snack. Some took advantage of the on-site recreation facilities, which included a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and many other amenities. I went to the sauna for a while, but avoided the rest in an effort to keep my foot clean.

In the evening, we were once again treated to dinner prepared by Fozzy’s parents and cousin. Lasagna, garlic bread, kale, green beans and then apple pie, brownies and ice cream for dessert!

Day 70 –

Another pretty quiet day in Massanutten with the gang.

Hiker Delicatessen

Fozzy’s parents, Dan and Judy, as well as his cousin, Christine, once again made breakfast for us. An excellent breakfast scramble and fresh fruit. After breakfast, we took it easy for about an hour before Dan took us to resupply at Food Lion. I didn’t need much to eat, as I had at Luray, but I bought a new wall charger, some bandaging supplies, and flip flops to wear on my foot for the next few days. Upon completion of resupply, we returned to Massanutten for the day.

The rest of the day was spent just relaxing in the condo. There were lots of snacks, soaks in the jacuzzi (a leg for me) and watching the National Treasure movies on repeat on TV. Until, of course, dinner, which consisted of cheeseburgers, fruit, and pastries. In the afternoon, the rest of the group packed up to head to the morning trail, while I left my things outside. Dan and Judy kindly offered me to stay a couple more days if I wanted my foot to heal a little more, which was necessary, so I accepted their offer.

Day 71 – Making myself useful

Today I’m doing trail again! Not to walk, but to help my friends pack.

After a quick breakfast, we all piled into the vehicle and by 7am we were on our way back to the trail. Dan drove us to the parking lot where he picked up the rest of the group, Fozzy, 4 Score, Dreamer, Bushwack, MasterChef and Fuego from the trail a couple of days earlier. Here they were all getting back on the road, with Dan joining them. I then drove to Elk Wallow Wayside with most of his team, about 11 miles away, doing nothing until then. I drove to the edge of the road after they began their hike on a rainy, foggy morning. Visibility ranged from decent to terrible as clouds moved over the mountains along Skyline Drive. When I reached the road about 30 minutes later, the rain had stopped but the clouds and fog persisted. I arrived at the trail before it opened at 9am, so I spent some time chatting with the few hikers who had already gathered outside, awaiting its opening. When it opened, I went in and grabbed a coffee and a snack to consume while watching a movie on my phone, awaiting everyone’s arrival.

Shortly after 11 a.m., when the roadside grill opened, I went back in and ordered a burger and another of the legendary blackberry shakes. I was finishing that with MasterChef and Fuego coming up. They sat down and joined me as they waited for their food and everyone else’s arrival. For the next hour or so, the rest of the group filtered out and I was talking business with other hikers. It was good to feel back in the thick of things! But finally it was time for my friends to continue the rest of the day’s miles and they were off, while Dan and I headed back to the Massanutten for the night.

Back at the condo, I watched another movie on my phone and then had dinner with Dan before calling it a night.

What I’m watching: Nuremberg

Day 72 –

Another day off… Not much on the agenda today again. I had one side of the condo to myself, so I slept in and relaxed.

View from the condominium

Pretty quiet day, I spent it mostly with my feet up and trying to eat all the food left in the condo. I made a valiant effort but unfortunately came up short and couldn’t eat it all. But I did a pretty good job. Between snacking and watching random TV, I also had lunch with Dan and dinner with Dan, Judy, and Christine. I really can’t say enough about Fozzy’s family, allowing us to stay in the condo with them, including a couple of extra days just for me. Feeding ourselves, having borrowed clothes and a hiker box so we can complete different items. And most importantly for me, Judy’s medical experience and knowledge of healing my foot!

In the evening after dinner, Dan drove me back to Luray to stay at the Open Arms Hostel before returning to the trail in the morning. I returned to the Cave, where the same bed from my last visit was open, so I felt at home. Sharing the cave with me were Snail, Wanderlost, and Emily. We all signed up for the shuttle early, so it was an early night for everyone. I’m excited to finally get back on the road!

Statistics for day 69:

0 miles

0′ rise, 0′ fall

Open Arms Hostel at Massanutten

15 DSLC…

Stove use times: 14

Statistics for day 70:

0 miles

0′ rise, 0′ fall

Massanutten two Massanutten

16 DSLC…

Stove use times: 14

Statistics for day 71:

0 miles

0′ rise, 0′ fall

Massanutten two Massanutten

17DSLC…

Stove use times: 14

Day 72 Statistics:

0 miles

0′ rise, 0′ fall

Massanutten to the Open Arms hostel

18 DSLC…

Stove use times: 14

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