June 9 - 14.3 / 1,126.3

DS and I both wanted to get back on the trail at a decent time. However, as always we got sucked into the vortex known as town. Before getting back to Boiling Springs, we ate breakfast and resupplyed at a local grocery store. I got a chance to speak with my parents too. I like enjoy giving them updates. Plus it is great to hear their voice.

Once in Boiling Springs, I had to mail some stuff home. Then, DS and I said our goodbyes to his family. It is crazy to think of them as my parents, but I feel like I could call them my other mom and dad. They have treated me like their son over the past few days and have provided a hospitality. His family his amazing, and it is hard to believe that they have done this while only knowing me for a few months. It was 11:30 and raining when we started to hike. Luckily the terrain was flat, and I truly mean flat. Half the time was spent hiking either in a field or along side a field. The downside was that I was soaking wet. I sent my rain pants home about two weeks ago so my shorts were the first to get drenched. Since it is warm enough, I hiked with just my rain jacket and no shirt. It helped to give me a dry shirt one I stopped hiking this evening.

I got to see a lot of cool looking barns. They seem bigger out here then what I am accustomed to. Some of them have been five stories. This part of the hike seems to be through people's personal property. At one point we came to the end of a driveway. We saw a lady walking towards the road in the rain. Both of us figured she was going to pick up the mail. So I grab it, passed it to DS, and DS ran down the driveway to give it to her. He said she seemed a little startled, but was thankful once she figured out what he was doing. I would be frightened too if I saw DS running towards me, especially with his crazy hair. It has gotten long.

We were a few hours into the hike when we came to a road crossing. As we came out of the woods, DS said that he thought he saw Upgrades girlfriend standing next to a car. As we approached we could tell it was her and saw Upgrade and Fredo standing off to the side. She had met them to give them some trail magic. DS and I also got some out of it too, Pepsi and fruit. They left shortly afterwards. DS and I sat around and then headed on.

One of the strangest sights occurred today. We found a really old car in the middle of the woods. Both of us wondered how it got there. We couldn't see any remnants of an old road and plus it was in a rocky area. It also wasn't on the outskirts of a farm or field. We couldn't tell how old or what type. It was definitely old though. My guess would be the '20's or '30's.

The first shelter of the day was at 14 miles in. After some discussion, DS and I decided to stay here for the evening. It is shorter than we had planned, but still works with our schedule. There are a few section hikers here. They took over the shelter which is fine with me and gave me a reason to tent.

I did spill boiling water on my hand and leg this evening. It was ironic since DS and I had discussed not seeing anyone burned yet while cooking just a few hours earlier. I think I will survive. No blisters so it seems pretty mild.

The rain is putting me to sleep. Hopefully it will stop before I wake. To all, hope you are doing well and thanks again for continue to read the blog.

Night, friends.