After a wonderfully delicious gourmet meal prepared by Mary we were off. However, Rebel Yell needed to go into town to the Verizon store. Mary offered to drive our packs along (allowing us to slack-pack) 24 miles! Slack-packing basically means you just carry a day pack with the essentials and revel ALL day long about how fast you are going and how light your pack is. AMAZING.
We arrived at a hostel "24 miles up the trail" named Kincora. The man who owns the place is certainly a legend and has given back to the trail in so many ways. His hostel is simply donation only. However, with stray cats everywhere and in DESPERATE need of a clean, I would have rather been outdoors! (Sorry Bob)
Leaving Kincora, we made it to Damascus, VA in three days time. I was having trouble with my achilles and rationalized that it was my boot. I actually tossed my boots, and hiked in my crocs for the three day stretch. I thought about Grandma Gatewood, yes gear does make a difference but where there is a will there is a way. Some of the guys joked that I should contact Crocs and let them know that their shoe has been well tested. "They might even give you a lifetime supply!" Not the first thing on my list I would like a lifetime supply of. For those curious minds, yes I was super cautious about my foot placement and carried the constant realization that one small roll could take me off the trail. I will be buying a new pair of shoes at the outfitter in town. Check out the pics from the last stretch!
That is the ever gracious Mary! What a breakfast.
Check out those ultra light packs!!
Frost-saint-clencher-new found
Goodbye boots... Thanks for the many miles and places you have taken me.
Meet laurel, the first female hiker under age 50 I have run into. She made pancakes back at the last hostel and decided the syrup bottle was well worth the weight.
What's for dinner tonight?
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