Since Damascus.

So, 3 weeks and 390 miles ago, I had in mind that I hoped to pull off 110 miles per week and be in Harpers Ferry by June 1st. I would feel good about that.
Well thanks to the fair terrain of Virginia and perhaps the first week due to some good-natured teasing in a shelter log from a 20-year-old who then ate his words, I have more than succeeded and even with slacking off and taking 2 zeros in the coming week, it looks like I'll be in Harpers Ferry a full 7 days ahead of my Damascus goal. Perhaps even before said 20-year-old. Not that I'm intentionally racing anyone. Hiking your own Hike is a beautiful thing.
So out of Damascus I pulled 147 miles in the first week, Mount Rodgers, Grayson Highlands, thunderstorms, unraveling trail shoes, tornados and all. Took a well-deserved half-day at Wood's Hole Hostel, which has to be the most phenomenal hostel on the trail, thus far and thereafter.
Rockin' and rollin' through big days and countless yards of duct tape, soon accented with moleskin, I made it to Daleville almost 250 miles north, where after lots of gymnastics via cell phone, and the help of a few iphone owning friends far away, KEEN had sent a replacement pair as the first only made it 140 miles or so. Daleville was great, and a very efficient resupply. KEEN is not. I discovered that night up trail that this pair also was faultily manufactured and swore of KEENs for life. Only problem being another 135 miles tot he next outfitter. Negative miles are out of the question.
James River, Cold Mountain, Spy Rock, the Priest. I'm kind of hiking in a space between crowds in thru-hikers. Not signing in the shelter registers and for several reasons somewhat off the grid and under the radar at this point. I planned to meet my godparents in Rockfish Gap for half a day and the night at their place before I took on Shenandoah. Well yesterday morning I woke up, did an awesome tape job on my feet, put on the shoes and said, you know what- I am never putting these hiking shoes on again. The boys were all still asleep, it was a cool wet drippy morning and I hiked 21 miles up trail and straight into town for new boots. The outfitter had Garmonts, which are my favorites thus far in life, on sale, which is rare. And I get a full day off my feet, with familiar faces no less.
It's a highly unpredictable best trip ever. And now for the second coat of water-proofing.