It did rain overnight. It woke me up sometime during the night. When I awoke at 8:00, it was still raining. The rain was hard enough that I didn’t want to move. But that’s not an option. Embrace the suck and get moving. 

It rained, a cold rain, off and on for most of the morning. I slogged through the mud trying to make the best time I could. My plan was to hike 20+ miles, but I began to feel like that wasn’t going to happen. 

Today the Trail crossed a VA state highway. There was a small store selling snacks and drinks. I went in, had a Sprite, and tried to warm up.  That’s not easily done when you’re wet. Thankfully I had cell signal. 

I sat down and weighed the options. Just three miles into town and I could have a warm, cozy bed.  Continue onward trying to make the nine miles I planned on doing. Or punt…stop short at a nearby shelter. 

The weather forecast and radar made the decision easier. Radar showed a storm line moving in. Plus, the extended forecast is for heavy rain Thursday afternoon into Friday night. As much as I wanted the warm bed, it wasn’t in the cards. Off to the nearby shelter with the goal to avoid today’s rain. 

The plan is to push hard tomorrow and Thursday.  I need to cover 42 miles in two days. Hopefully arriving in Pearisburg before the rain.  If Friday’s forecast is still a washout, I will just zero in town. 

Tomorrow is a 5:45 alarm, hopefully on trail by 6:30, and hiking 24 miles. Fingers crossed the weather will cooperate. 

Wish me luck.