Day 75 – Crocodile swinging

It’s taken me a little while to get back into my trail rhythm, but we’re getting there! The good news is that my right foot and ankle are healing quite well and look a little better, but I feel significantly better!

The return of cheese

My day started with a nice relaxing morning at Mosby Campground and I started hiking at 8:30am. The first mile and a half of trail was just beautiful.

Nice soft land, fairly flat, no rocks, what a start to the day! Especially since I was backtracking on my decision to walk with a Croc on my left foot. This was more comfortable and didn’t rub as much as my shoe on the open, raw left heel. Unfortunately, after 1.5 miles, I had a couple of small rocky sections that weren’t appreciated but were as unavoidable as Thanos. About 2 miles in, I reached the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter, where I used the facilities and regrouped before continuing on for the rest of the morning.

While walking later that day, I ran into Big Stick and he told me that if I walked fast there would be a surprise up ahead. Out of curiosity, I accelerated and systematically eliminated a relatively long but gentle climb. Near the top of the climb I heard some familiar voices, Blueberry Turtle was talking to none other than Queso, one of my OG trail family members! I saw it during trail days, but I haven’t hiked it since the Smokies! Little by little we are getting the band back together. Now if only Shooter and Beer Run could catch up… I guess the plus side of having to take a week off from hiking.

crocodile rocking chair

The rest of the day was a fairly easy hike, with few elevation changes and a gentle trail. It could just be the easiest walking conditions, but I felt like I was finally getting my hiker legs back, although of course hampered by the crocodile on my left foot. I also came across these old stone walls several times in the afternoon and am curious to know what their history is.

Early in the afternoon we hit the road and walked to Mountain Gap Market, a small store not far from the trail that had a small selection of packaged foods and drinks, as well as donuts, ice cream, croffee, and hot food. They even give out a donut to hikers! So I bought one of them, some ice cream, and a couple hot dogs for dinner. We were planning to hike a few more miles after stopping, but found out they would let us camp for free! Giving us a little more time to charge devices, access to the bathroom and breakfast in the morning. Sounds like a victory to me! So we spent the night out there; the four of us, Tahoe, Snail and Cry Baby, who we met that same day. When the market closed, they even brought out the unsold donuts for us to eat! Which meant a couple more donuts for this guy. Victorious!

Day 75 Statistics:

16.8 miles

2,808′ ascent, 3,606′ descent

From Camp Mosby to Mountain Gap Market

21 DSLC…

Stove use times: 14

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