Monday 4/18
Rod and I took off
with his wife Julie. She walked the first mile with us. Then, we went on our
own. Semi serious climb up Weaverton Cliff. Then we hiked on the flat trail
along the ridgeline. Big hills are hard for me - it will get better. I will
sleep well tonight.
Tuesday 4/19
Left Ed Garvey
Shelter later than expected after I got my food bags stuck in a tree. Stopped
at Gathland State Park for water. Uphill climb out of there. Couldn't figure
why my pack was hurting so much in the shoulders. After 2 miles, I realized I had not cinched my waist belt.
My shoulders are sore. Thank goodness for Arnicare!
Wednesday 4/20
I must have been
tired. I went to bed at 8:30 and slept until 6:30. Good day hiking today.
Stopped for some sightseeing at Washington Monument. Several steep hills which
I don't like. Rod helped me adjust my pack. Much better!! I am sore at the end
of the day, but Arnicare is working.
Thursday 4/21
I have never seen so
many rocks!!! Going up and down is really hard for me to navigate. I sense my
balance is not as good as it once was. I took my first fall. Fortunately, it
was on my back. I felt like a turtle!
Friday 4/22
Spent last night at Ensign Cowell Shelter.
Stayed in shelter because of rain. Crazy woman kept us up all night ranting.
She has some serious demons. Hip is REALLY bothering me. I've been popping
Alieve for 2 days. Talked with Rod about leaving me behind - I am holding him
up. He said to wait til the end of the day and see how things were. Came to
Antietam Creek Crossing, I could not continue. I said Good-bye to Rod,
hitchhiked into Smithsburg, Maryland. I got x-rays. Something is wrong, seriously
wrong with my hip. I am going home.
4/23 - 5/3
Back home in
Cleveland. Bone scan, MRI and doctor visits. Whatever they saw on the x-rays in
Maryland do not seem to be an item for concern. Going to b heading bac to the
trail. Took care of WOW wifey's honey do list. Putting AC in window when it was
47 degrees outside. Brought out porch furniture with my hat and gloves on when
I usually still have firewood stacked on the porch.
Wednesday 5/4
Keith drove me to
Carlisle PA last night. Raining in the morning. I had a 9:30 phone interview
with Keith Larson. Waited for rain to let up. Finally took off about 10:30.
Keith dropped me off and I am back on the trail. Feeling good. Some rocks but
mostly flat. Arrived at shelter about 2:00 pm. Wet and cold. Changed out of wet
close, hung to dry. Met Bean Dip and Mary - two Aussies hiking the trail.
Cold and damp in the
morning. Bit the bullet and put on wet shoes and socks. Said good-bye to Lois
and Clark. Took off and the heat from my feet had soon dried out my wool socks.
Amazing! Lots of rocks today, but many stretches of dirt. Somehow managed to
walk past Cove's Mountain Shelter. Kept on walking and made it into Duncannon
PA. My longest day yet - 12 miles. Stopped at Duncannon VFW to make sure I was
still on the trail. There are not many white blazes when you get into towns.
Outside of the VFW, I ran into Trail Angel Mary. She gave me a ride to the Red
Carpet Inn. I will be staying here tonight.
Friday 5/6
Forecast calls for
pouring rain all day, up to 2 inches with temperatures in the low 50s. Sounds
like a good day to take a zero! Zero day in Duncannon. Lunch at the Doyle;
great burger! Met Pat, the owner. An Institution! Picked up box from Post
Office. Relaxed at the Red Carpet Inn - stayed warm and watched the Cavs. They
won! Life is Good.
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