Early to Bed, Early to Rise...

9-22-09 day 112
start: Bryant Ridge Shelter, VA
end: Wilson Creek Shelter, VA
daily mileage: 20.6
total mileage: 1448.5

We had some pretty decent miles to do today and wanted to get in early so we made sure to get up with the sun. Our plan was to go to bed around 6 so we could get up at midnight and night hike to Waffle House. Looking ahead we knew there wasn't much water down the trail so we stopped at Jennings Creek to fill up. The point were the trail crosses is actually along a section of gravel road so we climbed over the guard rail and down under the bridge to fill up. Although it was a cool morning, there was a little pool to nice to pass up, so I jumped in and rinsed of my nasty body and my manky clothes.

Ever since entering the Shenandoah National Park a week ago we've been following what started as Skyline Drive and has since turned into the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail had kept up with the road and it seems like every day we have several crossings. Today, however, was our last encounter with the BRP. After crossing it this afternoon, we must now bid a final farewell to our constant, noisy, paved companion. Leaving the BRP behind also means we are now about halfway through VA, yay!

At around 5 o'clock we made it to the shelter and made a quick dinner. After chowing the last of our food we hit the sack. At 6 it is still very much light outside but our fellow shelter mates are indulging us and keeping quiet. The alarm is set for 12 so we'll be up and hungry for waffles!