It's been awhile since we've updated the blog and we are terribly sorry. We're still trekking along, don't worry! Hit the 700 mile mark, that's 1/3 of the way... whoop! Man, since we've last posted we have been hit with a couple really bad rain and snow storms, a stomach virus but mostly just pure awesomeness. Some memorable moments so far have been my dad and boyfriend driving 6 hours and hiking 3 miles in to deliver a cake and pop tarts to our tent at 4am on my birthday. That day it proceeded to rain like crazy and I sat in my tent from noon on eating cake in my sleeping bag... that was a memorable birthday. One of my proudest moments so far has been eating an entire 18 oz. burger, fries, and cheesecake in Hot Springs, NC. Yada yada we made it to GREAT ol' Virginy! (That was about 470 miles in.) Unfortunately leaving Damascus, VA Brandon and I both got a stomach setting as back a bunch of miles from our group. We hit Mount Rogers and Grayson Highlands in the worst rain storm so far. It was super cold and it just kept raining day after day. Definitely experienced the beginning stages of hyperthermia one of those days. Hiking in wet boots for a couple days, let me tell you it really does some weird things to the skin on your feet... and we'll leave it at that. To catch up with our group, Brandon and I hiked our biggest day yet - 30 MILES - booyah! That was my second proudest moment of the trail so far. Our mom came and visited us after that week of sickness, rain, and mileage crushage and put a little life and love back into us. Bada bing bada boom we are crushing the miles and now 700+ in. A big part of the trail that's been awesome is our "tramily." A group of nine guys plus me and Brandon. They're so awesome - it's like having ten brothers who make fun of you all the time. We're just having so much fun and suffering a lot too haha. I could not have imagined this whole experience if I tried. Will update more often with more detail!