Date: 2013-03-21
From: Campsite 8 miles

To: Hemlock Hallow Hostel
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

This was by far the coldest morning we had. Weird because the smokies were suppose to be the coldest. I put on all my layers and took 2 hours to pack my stuff up. My hands were so cold at points that I had to shove them in my pants to warm them up. After slowly getting our heads straight we finally took off on the trail at 9 for a 17 mile day... Okay time to have a serious talk... I heard that a thru hike 90% of the time its the best thing of your life (Very True), but then there is 10% were you wana scream, give up, cry, and beg for the warmth and comfort of your family and bed. Will today I (caribou) experenced that 10%. My knee continued to hurt from the previous day. "Damn, no this couldn't be. Just continue walking and it will go away." Is what I thought. So onward though the cold cold cold. This was by far the coldest I had been. My knee continued to get worse. All these factors started to build up. I turned to talk to Dovetail and tell him about my Knee. I just looked at him and without saying anything started to cry like crazy. He looked at me with confussion and worried eyes. "What the Hell is going on" is what he was thinking knowing nothing about my knee. Finally I calmed myself enough to explain my knee problem. In the most worried, friendly way possible he said "f#*k"... Our hike wasn't over, but we were both thinking of the worst. If I had to get off the trail It would end my dream and leave Dovetail completely on his own. This day was going South fast... Okay time to be smart. First things first, get off my knee and elevate it. We thankfully were within 2 miles of Hemlock Hallow Hostel. We walk there quite fast for having a bummed knee... When we arrived we noticed how incrediblly nice this hostel was. Okay one good thing to bring spirits up. Next we talked to the hostel owner and got a ride into greensville to a prompt care (urgent care) clinic. Another good thing. Inside I had to have my insurance faxed to me, but it all worked out and about after 3 hours a doctor was looking at my knee. She asked me many questions and felt my knee cap. She told me I most likely didn't tear anything. She said I most likely over worked my quad, in turn started loosing my knee cap. The cap of my knee wiggled around and created irritation. The doctor explained that this mussle can hurt me and I can feel a lot of pain, but the mussle itself can't be injured beyon prepare. She said take a day or two off of it and to continnue walking. YEAH!!! This day was turing around fast!! Good good stuff!..So while I was in the Clinic DoveTail (It was his Birthday today turning 19 the day after I turned 20) was running around picking up food and doing other chorse with the shuttle driver. They came picked me up from the clinic and we went back to the hostel... Okay so today turned out to be not so bad. Yea we have to take some 0 days but at least I have my health and I can hike on... For dinner we had meatload mash potatos and corn. Then we slept in a bunkhouse with a heater. That was nice because it was cold again that night. So I'm feelin better and I'm ready to take some recovery time.Dovetail had a great birthday. And as soon as I was clear to keep hiking the good times returned.CaribouWhen you fall, you can either lie on the ground in a cold place, or you can pick yourself up and move to the warmth. I'm keeping strong for my family and friends, but most of all myself. Never Quit!