June 25, 2004 - Got a very late start. Woke up very late at 8 am and went to breakfast. Made some calls to get someone to drive Bilbo and I back to the trail but it was no good so we had to use a taxi. Didn’t start hiking until 11 am and we were planning on a 33 mile day. I didn’t think that would happen but I would give it a try. I started the
today, which is supposed to be some of the easiest hiking on the trail. After the first 20 miles, I found that it is. Not much elevation change, just lots of small ups and downs. Also, SNP runs parallel to Skyline Drive the whole 107 miles of the park. I’ll end up crossing Skyline Drive 45 times. I was making great time today, but there was no way to get in the 33 since I started so late and you have to stay at the shelter. So I stopped for the day at only 20 miles because it started to rain and it was dinnertime. It’s a full house in the shelter tonight (9 in the shelter and 5 camping in tents). Hope to wake up early to get in a big day.