Rehabilitation

I have returned to the trail in the company of the two hikers who helped me leave the trail, Pickup and Strider. In the roughly two weeks since I left, they have covered 253.2 miles. This will be my additional distance in southern Virginia after Katahdin.

The same shuttle driver who brought me home from Marion brought me to Glasgow, a three hour drive. The Galileo is that much closer to the moon.

We are now between Glasgow and Waynesboro, on the doorstep of Shenandoah National Park. Shenandoah is the main highlight of Virginia, and by the north end we will be near the halfway point of the trail, Harper's Ferry in West Virginia.

The heat of summer is now upon us. The biting insects are out in force. The rain is no longer unwelcome. Fireflies are beginning to appear to any hiker awake at night; many are starting early in the morning to beat the heat. Wild blueberries are now ripe; first come first serve.

After two weeks of rehabilitation at home, I thought I would be joyful when I finally got back on the trail. Instead I felt an abundance of something I needed even more: peace.