Friday, 4/29, 7:45 a.m.

Seated at a table at the Java House cafe in Greenwood chatting with the lady behind the counter.

Yawning.
So tired.
Thunderstorms.
Dripping.

Woke up at 4:15, looked at the weather and decided I would leave early, in the dark, in order to get as much distance in before the rain began as possible.

I ate a banana and a scoop of peanut butter, packed quickly, and was on the road about 5:00. The dry period lasted perhaps 30 minutes after setting out.

I am exhausted. Utterly knackered. Only 120 miles over the last two days, but only about nine or ten hours of sleep between them, too.

I arrived here soaked through. Shivering. I knew I needed to get out of the rain and dry out as quickly as possible once that began so I’m very grateful this place is here. I’m also very grateful for Shipley’s Do-nuts, also in town. Some of the tastiest and best textured donuts I’ve ever had—a near perfect springy chewiness, and density. Anyway, I’m now at Java House, as I wrote, hoping for things to dry some after changing out of what I was wearing (bib shorts not withstanding). I’m planning on getting a hotel, partly because everything is wet and, partly because this storm isn’t supposed to let up until late tonight. Andddd it would be nice to get an extra-nice night’s sleep.