April 15th - 42 - Partnership Shelter to Atkins, VA
Took the shuttle back down to Marion with the hikers that came in last night. I couldn't resist getting more snacks and another round of fast food. I a cold drizzle hikers walked about Marion resupplying. the shuttle took us all back up to the visitors center and I was hiking by noon. The eleven and a half mile hike to Atkins was cold and rainy to begin with, the weather switched to snow for a period, and the sun finally creeped out as we approached the road. Dan and I split a room and the Relax Inn as does the rest of the hiker hoard and we head up the road for some grub. The barn restaurant here is a renowned hiker stop, complete with a mail drop resupply and hiker box. I order the 16 ounce hiker burger as more and more hikers pile in. as more show up we arrange the table into one long community dining table. Those present include; Dan, Blink, Rambo, Sunbear, Grease, Hard to Kill Phil, Mama Bear, Half Moon, Sunshine, Young Beard, Hawk, Achilles, Yo Teach!, and Birdman. After dinner I stop and buy a Miller 40 ounce at the gas station and watch modern family til 11pm, well past hiker midnight.

A strange phenomenon happens on the AT. the longer you stay on trail the better and better days become. as winter turns to spring and spring turns to summer, the hike becomes easier and harder. one thing remains, every day is better than the last.