May 26 Mile 527

Exciting news today! My older son proposed and is now engaged to be married! Congratulations to Dan and Julie!!! Wish we could be with you to celebrate. Next time we are near some alcohol we will raise a glass in your honor! We'll all get together soon to cheer you properly.
Pizza time! We have intersected today with the modern world. After an unpleasant night in an overcrowded shelter. ( one guy who came late when there was little room said those of us with tents should go out in the mud and camp to give him space as he hiked without a tent! Some nerve, I wasn't sympathatic. I slept in an upper bunk and was worried all night I would roll off and smush the people below, so I clung to the wall. It was difficult to climb up to my bunk and difficult to climb down, especially over all the people. Made it challenging when nature called during the night as it always does. And it's not because I'm an old guy. We drink alot of water out here. At least two liters while hiking plus all we use in our food cooking. So, we've got a lot of liquid in us, which we need. Added to that we usually are in bed by 8-8:30 PM, so it's hard to make it 10 hours without a visit to the privy or the nearest tree.
Anyway, got up and started out a little late-8 AM- but again, the miles passed quickly and we were at the Pizza hut, shelter that is, by 1:15 PM , going about 10.5 miles. It feels very strange to stop so early, but we need to. Again, while we have ups and downs it is definitely not Ga, Tn, or NC ups and downs. Very welcome. This is all very encouraging when we start back later after my Sweety's visit. People told us VA would be somewhat easier and faster, and so far it is so. It is also very pretty here. Spent my college years in Charlottesville, Va, and being here the landscape is very familiar and I do feel at home.
There is a very nice Forest Sevice Visitors center here next to this shelter. The shelter has showers! Real bathrooms ! And a drink machine! And candy. Amazing! But tent camping is prohibited here. They also have a scale. I weighed myself and fully dressed with my heavy boots I am down to 150. I have lost about 15 lbs since I started. Probably haven't weighed this little since I was in college. Interesting weight loss plan, but worried about how much more I can lose. The thing about the AT, you can eat whatever you want, that is if you can find it and you want to carry it.
Today hiking we saw a turtle right on the trail and went through a herd of cows in a pasture. Had to watch out for those cow pies. Coolest thing was hiking along a mountain top today and looking down thru the trees saw a hawk diving below us. Also hiked for about a third mile thru a deep rhododendron forest. It definitely was a long green tunnel.
Anyway, we didn't really want to stay at this shelter after last nights experience, but I hiked ahead without a pack for about half a mile and did not see any good tenting sites- it was just a long ridge with no flat spots. So, reluctantly, we will stay in the shelter- but it is the Ritz of shelters- so I guess it's something we can talk about. We are claiming spots upstairs- so maybe it will be less crowded and noisy. But, alas we are at the party shelter. Lots of folks are here, Someone actually is hiking with a guitar! And has brought it out and it 9:30 PM they are playing and singing! I like music and all, but folks it's time for sleep. I read in one of the AT books that thru hikers really don't want to sit around a campfire and sing songs. I guess the author hasn't met this bunch.
Anyway, The pizza shelter is no myth. Called for Pizza and they delivered! Delicious! Also got a soft drink. And a candy bar and a couple of folks hitched into town and brought back milk and cookies. And the evening sky is clear and cool. Life is good.