Date: 2018-06-18
From: MoseyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Place 

To: MoseyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Place 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Next Step ¢hinted¢ that he was hoping for a day off, so I ¢happily¢ agreed to write the journal entry for today. Okay, so that¢s not a completely accurate description of how it went down, but no need to fuss over the details. Lol I was able to talk to him a couple of times today which is always a good thing! He had a much needed reflexology appointment this morning. I¢m pretty sure that those 60 minutes were his favorite hour he had today. Even better than getting a yummy cheeseburger for lunch - and that¢s saying something. Next Step had a hearty appetite even before we started this adventure, but now he has truly turned into a bottomless pit! We calculated that it takes literally 36 hours in town before he starts filling up. When I was with him and we would be in town for meals, he would start trying to figure out where we could go for ice cream before we were even halfway finished with our supper! He spoke very highly of his hostel host, as well. She had shuttled them around today to several different locations at no extra charge. That is the exception, rather than the rule. And it is always greatly appreciated by hikers!! Just a quick update on my situation - First, I am just so proud of my amazing Next Step!! He has been busting some miles while I¢m away. I can¢t even imagine trying to do that alone and I know how much he hates to be away from me. It just breaks my heart. But while it¢s been very hard to see all the pictures of him by himself, I am truly cherishing the time I am able to spend with my parents while I let my back heal. They are so precious and are trying hard to make sure I am actually resting and relaxing. (I¢m not very good at either one of those!!) You would just have to know them to understand. When you¢re at their house, they make you feel like you¢re the most special person on the planet. They have an amazing gift of true hospitality!! I¢m also happy to report that thankfully, the spasms have finally stopped in my shoulder. I still have some back pain and tightness but I¢m REALLY hoping that another week and a half of doing my stretches will be all that it takes for me to be able to put my backpack on without the spasms coming back. I am SO blown away by all of the notes of encouragement and all the prayers that have gone up on my behalf. Thank you again, to all of you for your amazing kindness! I know that if it¢s meant to be, then Next Step and I will finish this journey together. Also, a quick update on some special friends that we have met along our journey - Heartburn, Butterknife, Finn and Happy Feet are starting a new adventure sight-seeing and day hiking in California and Oregon. Sadly, Close Call is not going to be able to come back to the trail this year due to his knee injury.  Spirit Man also had to come off the trail for now, as well. They all truly feel like family and I pray that our paths cross again. We have made some incredible memories together and will be forever bound by our experiences on this adventure. I am so looking forward to rejoining Next Step at the end of the month! Please keep the prayers coming. I¢ll do my part and if that¢s His plan, then that is where I¢ll be!HugsWhich WayElevation Data: n/aWeather:Day - 93 / Mostly SunnyNight - 70 / Scattered Showers Over the Horizon: Bear Mountain, NY