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| About Downunda | Trail
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15th May 2002 From:
Bailey Gap Shelter 
What a day! I'm pooped - 21.2 miles and my feet are killing me.
I arrived at the shelter around 7:15 P.M. It was way down a very steep hill and all the way down all I could think of was the nightmare of a climb out I would have in the morning. When I arrived at the shelter there was six young day-hikers here making lots of noise. They had wine, beer, and food. They hit me with a cold beer straight away which took away a lots of today's pains. I then filled my mug with wine to have with my dinner….oh how things were looking up. Corncob arrived shortly after me and they gave him two blocks of chocolate, one for him, one for me. The young folks aren't staying at this shelter. Apparently there is an old homestead close by and that's where they will party tonight. I was invited down to join the party but one beer and a mug of wine is just enough for this weary hiker. I'm just finishing my wine now then I'll polish off the Hershey's chocolate! This shelter looks brand new; it's huge. At a pinch it could sleep 30. Only Corncob and myself are here; isn't that weird? I started out at 6:50 A.M. today and the morning was all rocks - how my feet hurt. Met some others for lunch (Stray Cat being one) then had to climb down a mountain. Coming down was great - through green pastures and undulating meadows (pictured above). Virginia is just the most beautiful state. Then I had to tackle the most awful vertical climb, real character building stuff. However, I've now had dinner, beer, wine, and chocolate and all is well with the world. I almost forgot to mention, it was nice and sunny all day. With that, I'll say goodnight to Dillon and Amy. |
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