Lunch at the Grotto – Fox’s AT Thru Hike – Day 46

I opted not to have breakfast at the hostel this morning so I could get an early start.

The trail became smoother with nice hills and no difficult climbs. Everything is clouded. The forecast was for a 100% chance of rain and I was in my poncho by 10. Maybe the fog and rain made the deer feel safer because I made it past six. Fog blocked any long views, but flowers still line sections of the trail.

In the middle of the day, just before Angel’s Rest, I saw this little rock grotto. It was the perfect place for lunch. There was shelter from both the wind and the rain, as well as a place to sit while I ate. After lunch I visited Angels Rest, which is certainly amazing when not surrounded by clouds.

Lunch shelter

After the cutoff to Pearisburg, the climbing begins. There are two signs that emphasize not drinking water. Soon I see a landfill to my left. That explains why you can’t drink the water. On the right I passed abandoned objects: an old car, an old caravan. How did these end up in the middle of the forest?

The views from the Rice Field shelter are spectacular. I arrived just as the clouds cleared and I was able to wait out the rain in the shelter. However, after dinner, I continued on. I just didn’t want to stop with three hours of daylight when I feel great.

• Breakfast: Oatmeal with dates, cashews and chia
• Lunch: instant potatoes and tuna.
• Dinner: Glass noodle soup with seaweed and pumpkin
• Snacks: rice crackers, cereal bar, Korean cake, bread, cheese.
• Known today: Frankenstein

Note: I’m trying to include more details about my food to avoid dietary concerns. But also trust that I know my dietary needs.

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