A Slow Down

I'm 65 miles into the trail and have developed what is well-known as a hiker's hobble. Earlier this week I noticed that the big muscle behind my right knee was tighter than usual. Despite my best efforts to take care of myself, my right leg crumpled on the descent into Tesnatee Gap. Involuntary tears ran down my face and I limped down to the bottom of the hill, sat down, sent my hiking friend on, and did what any other smart hiker would do at a low point, I called mom. Though I only use my cell phone for convenience when I'm in town, I was happy to find service and got a good talk and a lift from mom.

I drudged on for another 4 miles to camp, ate dinner and crashed. Without any swelling I slowly made my way another 26 miles over the next two days to reach another hot shower at the Cloud 9 hostel in Hiawassee, Georgia complete with hot tub for its medicinal properties, of course. I arrived on Friday, yesterday, and am still here. Now my right leg is fine, but a tendon in my right foot is swollen and hurting due to my limp from the previous couple of days. A former thru-hiker here has refused my leaving until I’m a little better. There are about 5 of us still here and limping around for one reason or another – blisters, swollen knees, etc. All of us are dutifully popping ibuprofen and alternating our cold and warm compresses as our bodies adjust to the harsh impact of hiking up and down mountains with 20+ pounds on our backs. The pains should become less as my hiking legs come in - hopefully sooner rather than later. I plan on leaving tomorrow, but I have been told that if my foot is not healed up enough, then I will be strapped to a chair with duct tape to prevent my leaving. We’ll see.

I continue to meet a myriad of characters who instantly become my new friends along the trail. Jack from New Hampshire is on the trail hiking to his sister’s August wedding at home in New Hampshire and will continue on to Maine after the festivities; Mave continues slowly on the ankle she broke just 8 weeks before she started that is still in a brace with the help of Sam; and I hear Streak is still stuck camping out at Neels Gap with a hip injury. He’s been there a week and hopefully will be back on the trail soon. I have also become acquainted with the sleeping (snoring) habits of another 14 of my companions. Additionally, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know a few mice and a couple of wild pigs in camps before arriving at Cloud 9.

If I get out of here tomorrow, then I may hit North Carolina by mid-week. It’ll be my first of thirteen state lines that I’ll cross on my way to Maine. Once in North Carolina I’ll hit the Great Smokey Mountains. Until then, I’ll eat my ibuprofen and baby my foot. Thank you again, mom.