AZT Map Miles 584.4
Miles Hiked 574.1
Elevation 4,519 feet
Miles Hiked Today 16.8
My camp last night was in sandy soil. Sand is not the best for holding tent stakes in place. I had to put rocks on a couple of the stakes. I had this vision of the stakes pulling up and the tent collapsing on me during the night. Well, surprise! The tent was fine.
I was up early for my second day go around with the Black Hills of Oracle. This is like a roller coaster. The trail goes up and down a hundred feet or more repeatedly. There’s a section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia that is called “the Roller Coaster.” In comparison, it’s a joke next to the Black Hills.
Despite the strenuous trail, I was making good time. I decided to go for Oracle tonight. I texted the Air BnB owner where I was staying Sunday and asked if her place was available tonight. It wasn’t but another Air BnB across the road from her was. I reserved it.
Now I had an incentive to push for the American Flag trailhead and Oracle. I made it by 4:20. Anne, the Air BnB owner of Restful Oak (the Air BnB RV rental) picked me up and dropped me at the Landmark (the other Air BnB). What a nice place. It was better than any hotel at which I’ve stayed. It made me glad I was off the trail.
