By the time I reached Dickey Gap I was feeling good about my chances of reaching my pickup point. This was one of my fallback spots for meeting Kim, but I'm glad my backup plan wasn't needed. It is on the same road as where she will be later today, but much farther off the main highway.
As I arrived here, however, I realized I was no longer carrying my bandana. I usually carried it tied to one of my pack's shoulder straps so that it could be easily reached.
It would seem that it would be easy to notice when something hanging directly in front of me had fallen, but I failed to see it fall off.
Although I could have just left a bandana that costs $1.50 behind, I hated that thought so I started backtracking. I remembered using it a short time ago to wipe sweat from my face, so I was hoping I didn't have to walk far before seeing it.
I was right, the bandana was lying on the trail about a tenth of a mile away. Though I was glad to find it, I had wasted a few minutes, which was time I didn't have to spare.
Another time waster happened a short time later. A brief thunderstorm came through with heavy rain. I stopped to put on my rain gear, but as soon as I got it on, the rain stopped.
As soon as I took off my rain gear, it started raining again.
I put on my rain gear, and yes, it immediately stopped raining again.
This little episode ate up about 30 minutes of hiking time, but once it stopped raining it didn't rain again.
And now I was soaking wet.
To make up some time, I decided to not stop for a break at Trimpi Shelter, which was about four miles past Dickey Gap.
The weather was turning hot and humid after that thunderstorm and a little break would have been nice. Thankfully, though, the trail was getting flatter. Taking a break wasn't as necessary as it might have been on some days.