This 2 day break has been great. I took advantage and went all out on things. Go see Avengers! Definitely going to be tough pushing out tomorrow. Good thing PA is in sight.

I've been looking forward to this break for a long time, since getting into Virginia basically. We've been pushing miles for a while now, covering almost 270 in the past two weeks, without a day off. We took a nero today and will zero tomorrow here in Waynesborough, at the Super 8. My bodies been breaking down, so things will be real relaxing and hopefully healing. Very excited for movies tomorrow: Avengers and The Dictator. Thursday we push out into the Shenandoahs, and before we know it Harpers Ferry and into PA for the half way point. Things are starting to cruise, but every day is a challenge. 856/2184 miles completed.

Thanks for the birthday cards! Good choice Carissa.

Who knew how valuable, and enjoyable, a newspaper could be.

I keep eating way too much food in town!

I wish I had technologies available to put up a real post. McAfee Knob is all its said to be and more. BEAUTIFUL

The Homeplace was all you can eat and I ate so much I felt sick. It is family style meals, so we were a bit out of place. Lots of people, great conversations.

Going to The Homeplace was one of the best decisions of this journey. Slept on the grass there. Very gracious people. Brian, it was nice talking to you!

Heading to The Homeplace for one of the best all you can eats on the trail, and boy have I been looking forward to this.

Rocks, rocks, so many rocks...

After 2 days of slack packing and 4 nights in a motel it's back out into the woods. Leaving Pearisburg and headed for Catawba on Sunday. McAfee Knob Monday morning, the most photographed spot on the AT. Going to be a heavy pack today. Clear skies through the weekend!

Slackpacked for the first time today. Helped so much. Did 19 miles before 3:30 and even got some jogging in.

We've decided to take an unplanned day off here in Bland. Hopefully we will be renewed, because I want to haul it up to Waynesborough, where the Shenandoahs begin. We are spending a second night (I guess I really enjoy cheap motels), but are still going to hit Pearisburg on Wednesday. That just means more miles (two 20+ days in a row.

Spending the night in Bland. The name pretty much sums up the town. Always glad for a bed and a TV, though.

Happy Mother's day, especially you Mom!

I want to wish a happy early Mothers Day. (in case I don't have service tomorrow) Love you mom!!

Hillbilly hiker feast was excellent. Saw "God's Thumbprint." It's about 8 miles long and was the Vanderbilt's first choice for the Biltmore estate. Boo yah!

So long without service! 3 days of rain but not a cloud in site this morning. Had a monster breakfast at The Barn restaurant in Atkins, VA. Gon' push some miles

Getting back on the trail very shortly. Hope all goes well.

I am taking some time off for Norm's brother's bachelor party. We left Damascus on the Greyhound Wednesday, which was an experience in itself, and are in Richmond with my best friend Bret until Friday when we head to Virginia Beach. Sunday we will be returning to Marion and hopefully re-hitting the trail on Monday. It is a long break, yet a good one I think. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it. Leaving the trail for more than a couple days leaves my body to recover but my mind with mixed emotions. We will see how things go. Up in Pennsylvania I will be taking another long break. I have traveled 21% of the trail but will be in VA for 25% more. I can already sense the mental battle at times. I have my iPod now, though, which may help tremendously at times. We've met some great people, and I look forward to catching back up to them.

As a side note, I have shaved my head.

Hit the famous trail town of Damascus, VA yesterday. Did a pro hitch up to Marion this morning. Waiting for the Greyhound...this should be interesting.