Back On the Virginia Grind

Getting back on the trail after zero at our friends place was one of the hardest and agonizing ventures thus far. Every time we stay in town, in the lap of luxury, it becomes increasingly more difficult to return to the trail. Even with the biggest tree on the trail we just weren't impressed. The trail was losing its luster. We were losing are will and motivation to press on. All the reasons we started the trail began to conflict with what we were experiencing on the trail. I personally had thoughts of getting off all together. It was then that I realized the only way I was getting off was if I was in Maine after summiting Katahdin. If I wanted I to end I would just have to go faster. It was then that I crossed the continental divide and was almost a symbolic halfway point. Going from south to north and from honeymoon to crucible. Realizing that the trail wasn't going to be a walk in the park and actual one of the hardest challenges was a great turning point. Since then I've actually been enjoying it a whole lot more. The next day we planned on doing big miles but we were cut short by a very windy and aggressive lightning storm. Today we had a lot to look forward to. We first got to climb Dragons Tooth ridge! We climbed up and a got a really nice view of Virginia. The descent however was a rock scramble that was very difficult and fun. When we reached the bottom we got to go to a delicious buffet restaurant just a little ways off the trail. With full bellies we another 5 miles up to McAfee's knob to watch the sunset. It was a exceptionally beautiful day and really gave a little shine back to the trail where it was lacking. After all that we hiked another mile to a shelter putting us at 17 for the day! Doing bigger miles never felt so good!
With love,
Pyress and Comrade

P.S. We saw a rock that looks like a bears head!