Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap

A short 3.5 miles today to the gap to hitch into Franklin. Right at the gap - TRAIL MAGIC! Long View Baptist church in Franklin had a group that was giving out snacks and drinks to thru hikers and chairs to rest in. Thank you SO much! Queen Becky, Old Soul, Charlie dog (Old Soul's dog) and I are sharing a room again. I went to the outfitter and I got a drinking tube for my Platypus water bladder. It is super inconvenient to stop and take the Nalgene off my hip belt every time I want a drink and I think with this other method I'll stay more hydrated.

Okay - so time for gross stuff. If you are easily offended or don't want to think about me in a gross way, just skip the rest of this entry!

That is your fair warning...

Alright, so I have mastered peeing in the woods. Anyone who knows me or has gone camping with me the last few years knows I have a habit of peeing on myself if I have to squat in the woods. I think I wasn't crouching enough - I have found that finding a log or something to sort of sit on very low to the ground makes for the perfect pee spot without any splashing or dripping on your legs, shoes or pants. I've also now pooped in the woods successfully too! I sort of went into 'NERO' mode for the first couple of days, holding it till the end of the day when I was at camp and there are privy's, but nature called the other day...and it was fine. Using a tree in the form described above, I was able to have this also be a success. I haven't had any trouble with my period at all since cycling pills, so no worries there. I'm so glad I decided on a method that just avoids the whole mess. I have two pair of underwear that I switch between (washing out at night and drying during the day). I started getting some chaffing where the elastic band rubs along the underside of my thigh. I used some Neosporin and a day of going commando - all cleared up! Lastly, I have a purple bandanna that I warn all around me not to touch - it is not only my snot rag, but also my pee rag. I know, I was thoroughly disgusted at the thought of a pee rag too, but who wants to carry around used toilet paper (and pee is sterile)! I use the other half to wipe my nose after performing the action of 'snot rocketing'. Yes, another completely gross, I'd never do that thing, that I've become well versed in. I'm convinced I've had a sinus infection for the last couple of years and my nose is constantly runny - that would again be a lot of toilet paper to pack out. The solution? My "PS rag"!