Today was an odd day. I didn’t see many other hikers. Now, I know many hikers don’t hike the whole trail, but I knew of at least five hikers who were close ahead, who will likely make it the whole way, yet I did not see them, not see their entries in the logbooks at the shelters.

It’s possible I passed them, especially if they decided to go into town. I doubt they all did though. Even so, I did not see many hikers today – less than ten total. The only one I hiked with, Peaches, was a really cool guy. As we hiked, he revealed to me his plan of finishing the trail in 100 days in time to return to school. That figures, another cool hiker shooting for 100 days. Just like Indiana, I will probably never see him again – unless it is on another trail.

I was surprised to see a bench along the trail in the middle of the woods, but sitting in it helped me understand why it was there.

Damascus is coming up soon, a big trail town. After nearly twenty miles today, I have less than sixty to get there. My spirit and my feet are currently debating how many days it will be. I am in no hurry, and tomorrow might be a good day for making tea. When I wake tomorrow, I’ll see how I feel.

For the first time, I am sleeping by myself in a shelter (Peaches was doing another ten miles), unless you count the mice. I hope they don’t keep me awake.