For my first zero day I slept in late and enjoyed the luxury of not caring or having to stress about whether I’d make my planned mileage before I lost the daylight.
I finally left the hostel around 11 and successfully hitch hiked a ride to Walmart. I needed to re-supply on food but I was also hoping to find a pair of headphones. Despite my dogged searching apparently nobody carries USB-C headphones or adapters, not even the cell phone stores. I’ll have Kacy order what I need and ship it ahead to the next re-supply point. In the meantime I’ll keep using the speaker when there aren’t others around to annoy.
Stopped by Outdoor 76 to purchase some permethrin to treat the pants I bought at Mountain Outfitters. Permethrin is a tick repellent that I treated all of my clothes with before leaving New Jersey. However, when I bought the pants I forgot that they’d need to be treated too, even though I’m sure Mountain Outfitters would’ve had permethrin in stock.
Outdoor 76 is also home to some tasty craft beers served in the back of the store so I stuck around for a pint before heading back to the hostel. Hung out at the hostel to spray down the pants with tick repellent and meet other thru-hikers taking their own zero days.
Dinner was back at the Lazy Hiker, it’s the best local joint. Overall, it was a relaxing day and I feel rejuvenated and ready to start hiking again tomorrow.
Day 13 Mileage: 0.0 mi [Winding Stair Gap -> Winding Stair Gap]
Total Mileage: 117.7 mi
Sounds like you are having an amazing trip. Enjoy and be safe. We are thinking about you every day. Dad and Bobbi