Just a little over 5 weeks to go!  I submitted my formal request for time off today.  There’s no turning back now.

  
I wonder what these will look like after 1,000+ miles. 🍄

Just figured out that I’m going to start on the “Roller Coaster”, a section with 10 essentially pointless up and downs over the course of 13 miles.  Northern Virginia is notoriously easy with the exception on this monster.  Jeff Wingard and I start at Snickers Gap going north.  Then I’m back there on day 3 to hike south 10 miles to the southern end of it.  I’m looking for lots of hills to hike at home to get ready. 👣

Here’s the elevation profile from the A.T. guide: 

Back to Greensfelder today.  Did 9.6 miles with a 20# pack on my back up and down some hills in the woods.  Now I’m beginning to understand what I need to do to get ready.

Here’s an awesome pink fungus I passed and that’s me on the trail towards the end of a strenuous hike.  (Sorry I’m not smiling, the temp was 85+.)

Tried Greensfelder Park today.  Nice trails with plenty of miles to hike.  Did another 4 miles with a full pack in some beautiful weather.  Topped it off with lunch on the trail. (Home made dehydrated corn chowder.)

I haven’t posted anything for a week or so, but I’m still dilligently working to get ready.  Bought a box of dehydrated veggies at REI last week and have been vacuum bagging meals for the trail.  Got some great recipes for soups and beans with rice.

And…  Strange as it seems, I keep having dreams about bears.  Had another one last night.  I keep dreaming about waking up in the middle of the night and trying to scare a bear away that is poking around looking for food.