Trying out for a part in “The Exorcist”
My friend David and I have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to get back on the Appalachian Trail for our annual section hike. We spent extra time getting our bodies in shape and planning reasonable mileage for the beginning of the trip so as not to have any of our all to common “stupid injuries”. The weather in Virginia was gorgeous, to say the least.
Early in this hike, however, a new battle was to occur, the battle of backpacking with a stomach bug. I don’t know where it came from or how it got into my system, but I can say with a certainty, that this type of bug will slow you down. The weather, though a bit chilly, was excellent. My legs and joints felt superb. My stomach, not so much. When I rolled into the shelter a full hour after David had arrived, I knew that things were not right with my body. Later that evening I would enter into some truly demon possessed moments that are best left without description here.
David was very kind, however, to let me get some sleep, to make me tea and chicken broth, and to spend a day at a windy shelter until we could walk the eight miles to the nearest road and leave the trail earlier than anticipated.
This is not the first time we have had to make an early exit from a section hike, but I never like leaving early. That being said, it was still good to spend a few nights sleeping outside and some days taking in some beautiful views. We also got to have some quiet time off the trail to relax without the extra weight on our backs. All in all, we walked a decent section of trail and I will look forward to a return to Virginia soon!
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