Day 49: May 9, 2021 (17.5 miles)

Damascus, VA - Davis Hollow Campsite

Today may have been the hardest day yet mentally. I said bye to my Mom and the dogs this morning and dad drove me 2ish hours to this random drop-off point I found. My plan is to hike SoBo back to Damascus for trail days, so I started at mile 565.3 and am heading back to 471.8.

Creek crossing near 565. The bridge was out so there was a line (and Crocs) to help hikers cross when the water level is high

Saying bye to Dad got me really emotional and I had to fight back tears it was the 1st time I felt really alone and like I was making a mistake. All morning I passed NoBo strangers and I got really in my head about being homesick. I think a great weekend with my parents has me romanticizing what life would be like if I got off trail.

Ran into some OG homies! Tin Man, Ranger, and Shepard

The only moral booster today was running into a bunch of friends ahead of me. I talked to Tin Man, Sheppard, and Ranger for a long time before running into Burn after hiking through a beautiful pasture.

Scenic trail with some spring wildflowers blooming

I talked to Pull Up, Road Road (who I took a sentimental picture with - I felt famous), Einstein, Tim (who I hadn’t seen since mile 100 and got very excited), 2 Stroke, Free Rider, and Suds. It started raining a few miles before camp, and I’m all alone at camp. My first night alone and I’m were and scared. Anxious for the morning.

At this point I hadn't officially hit 1/4 yet since I was going south, but it still felt like a milestone!