Quick update:

Quick update:
After crossing the James River footbridge last Saturday, I stopped at Stanimal's 328 hostel in Glasgow where I had a shower, did laundry, resupplied at Dollar General, and ate a large veggie pizza (the essentials) before moving on early Sunday.

Blowdowns are still a problem on the trail. Some sections are relatively easy, then there are miles of complex and difficult to bypass blowdowns (reports at https://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/trail-updates#VA are relatively accurate for Central Virginia where I passed through the thick of it, but clearing is happening after I passed).

I got into Stanimal's other hostel in Waynesboro this morning after nearly 4 miles of extensive, difficult blowdowns. I heard from the caretaker that Shenandoah ahead has about 100 trees down across each mile of trail, which corresponds to what I saw today and yesterday between Humpback Rocks and Rockfish Gap (pictures). Still, I want to press on early Saturday hoping trail crews make progress clearing the trail and terrain makes bypassing the damage easier. Oh, and up to 4" of additional snow is in the forecast for Sunday-Monday, plus temperatures in the low 20s overnight (my socks and boots were frozen this morning).

Enjoying my break now, though. Lots of food, and Internet to work on holiday shopping, as well as catching up on 2018 movie releases at the hostel. FWIW, I haven't encountered another thruhiker on the trail since a few days before Glasgow. Nice to have hostels and shelters to myself, though I did share Maupin Field shelter with a skunk Tuesday night and almost got sprayed, so it could be worse!

I'm really looking forward to getting home before Christmas. The long nights are giving me plenty of time to plan out a bathroom remodel, household cleanup, and other post retirement activities (develop a budget) when I return.

Quick update:

Quick update:
After two brutally cold, windy days on the #AppalachianTrail north of Daleville, I made an unscheduled stop at the Wattstull Inn in Buchanan VA. I was seriously concerned about frostbite with below freezing temperatures (as attested by my lemonade slush) and 40mph winds along the ridges. My fingers were numb from the start, despite my "windproof" gloves.

Thankfully, a trail angel gave me a ride 5 miles from the VA 614 trailhead (though in the back of a pickup, so still cold) to the Wattstull Inn, a very nice place with Foot of the Mountain restaurant onsite.

My fingers are still recovering (tingling, but I can tie boot laces again). Weather looks much warmer for the rest of the week, though a chance of rain.

There are also a lot of blowdowns (downed trees) across the trail from the recent ice storm, and I hear this continues north of Waynesboro and into Shenandoah National Park. This is slowing me down, but I've run into two volunteer trail crews hard at work removing them so I hope my delay improves the situation.

My next planned stop is at a hostel in Glasgow VA on Saturday.

Quick update:

Quick update:
Left the trail at Catawba VA on Tuesday after hiking Dragons Tooth and returned to northern Virginia on Wednesday for Thanksgiving with family.

My sister and brother-in-law are giving me a ride back to Daleville this afternoon so I will be back on the trail Sunday morning to see McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs.

Quick update:

Quick update:
Zeroing at Woods Hole hostel (http://woodsholehostel.com) outside Pearisburg during the ice storm today. A wonderful place to stay! Back on the trail tomorrow when the weather improves. Currently in Pearisburg for lunch and resupply.

Quick update:

Quick update:
Well, that didn't take long! I hiked 12 miles this morning in a cold rain and (after considerable debate) decided to check out the Bear Garden hostel just off the trail before continuing to the Knot Maul shelter two miles further.

I'm happy that I did! Roberta showed me the bunkroom and washroom. Fast WiFi, two boot dryers (yes!), free leftover Halloween candy and hot chocolate, free cereal breakfast, free milk, and a well-stocked fridge and cupboard of food items at very reasonable prices convinced me to stay today and tomorrow and avoid the worst of the rain and cold.

I don't like losing a day on the trail hiking tomorrow, but its better than a couple of cold, wet, sleepless nights in a shelter! And I signed up for Amazon Prime to get my down bag, so now I can listen to music and watch movies while waiting for better weather on Sunday.

Quick update:

Quick update:
I spent last night at the Relax Inn in Atkins VA near I-81, after a chicken fajita nacho lunch at El Burrito Loco and take out pizza dinner from the Sunoco minimart next door.

Getting ready for breakfast and return to the trail this morning, but not thrilled with the forecast for rain today and a very cold (18F?) Saturday night. I ordered a down sleeping bag from Amazon to supplement my 38 degree synthetic quilt but won't pick that up for a few days, yet.

Quick update:

Quick update:
I'm in my home state of Virginia! I crossed the state line from Tennessee yesterday after a rainy day on the #AppalachianTrail and got to Woodchuck's Hostel in Damascus for a zero day today. The hostel was full but made room for me on the couch last night after I had an excellent meatloaf dinner at the Damascus Diner.

Only about 550 miles to go (the longest section in any state), but its getting easier while the days are getting shorter, and I'm happy to be in my "backyard" now. I plan to keep to an average 15 miles per day with a finish before Christmas.