Appalachian Trail Day 16 - Personal Best 33 Miles & Big Bald Miracle

Today was so freaking incredible for so many reasons! Woke up squished in a shelter and took off before everyone was waking up, an early start to a misty filled morning. Although it didn't rain, the condensation and leftover rainfall from yesterday on the plants and grass got my feet and shorts soaked walking through the untrimmed trail. I left my trekking poles a half mile back at a shelter I stopped at to write in the log book! Can't let that happen again! I cruised through a lot of beautiful mountains as well as rolling hills and meadows through some farmlands. I was aiming to meet Taylor and Kendra at the spot I made it to at 4 pm and said nah, I will keep walking, it was definitely tiring, around 22 miles I hit a wall and had to sit down and eat a MRE military meal, I didn't even heat them up, just ripped open the packaging and scarfed them down. Ate 2 meals worth and filled up at a creek. Kept pushing on to some of the most beautiful views of some North Carolina vistas, ski resorts, and balds. I had a big climb up to Big Bald, where I was feeling drained and lo behold, a cooler filled with trail magic appeared! Fresh cut pineapple, carrots, watermelon, cantaloupe, water... I don't know how to thank those trail angels but oh my gosh it was surreal and a miracle in my eyes. Gave me the energy to make it to the top which i was overwhelmed with emotion at the summit where I hit a marathon at 26.2 miles for the day. Wish my friends and family were here, I will be back to this spot no doubt! Pushed on at made it around 33 miles I believe, an hour in the dark! I met Taylor and Kendra at 11:30 pm and was expecting a requested Baconator and Frosty but they didn't end up getting it haha, lesson learned not to have expectations! So glad to be reunited with friends. A day I will never forget!
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