And I thought this would be an easy trip. I forgot to get that weather forecase in Rodanthe (I was preoccupied with water) but I expect it to rain. Naturally I set up my tent but there were no stakes in the bag. I must have left them at Dolly Sods in West Virginia. So I have a very makeshift shelter tonight. It should suffice for a light shower without any wind.

Another thing working against me is the water situation. I knew the Forest Service campgrounds would be closed but I wasn't counting on water being shutoff everywhere including visitor centers and picnic areas. This wouldn't matter if there was ground water for me to filter but there has been very little of that and none today. I was parched when I arrived at Rodanthe's pier. I bought a Gatorade and a gallon of water. I probably left there with an extra 7 lbs. of water weight. Greyhound weighed my pack at 37 lbs. so now it is in the mid 40s but only designed to carry 25-30 comfortably. Ouch.

As if that wasn't enough I have noticed my pace suffering. I think the sand is taking a little out of each step and by the end of the day, I am a couple-few miles short of where I expected. Tomorrow I hope to make it to a hotel in or just outside of Avon. It is time to shower and desandify my stuff. And I may have lots to dry out if it rains tonight and my frail little roof blows over.

Todays hike was all on the beach again. I passed two shipwrecks. One of them was just from a month ago or so. The other, I don't know.

Well I'm pretty tired so lights out.