Date: 2011-06-03
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Waynesboro Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 13.2

Well the good news is I saw two bears and one I got a picture so its not imaginary, the bad news I am back in Waynesboro probably taking another week off. So this morning when I woke up my infection started draining fluids. This was a little worrying but the redness had shrunk so I hoped it was doing ok. I wrapped it up in a pad and did the normal stuff and hit the trail about 7:15. About two hours in as I was consulting my guide book while walking I looked up and there was a bear about twenty feet in front of me. Dead stop with the heart starting to thump. The bear had his front legs up on a log and looked huge. He stared at me and I did the same, I remebered my camera and pulled it out. Right about the time it focused he decided to run away, so the picture of him is a little blurry but still obviously a bear. It is a he in my opinion because he was big, alone and mean looking After that I walked fast for a bit and kept looking back. I ran into some others shortly later and asked if they had seen it and they said no put had seen 4 already that morning. A momma and two cubs and another. Shortly later I saw the second one that seemed to be running back along a ridge above the trail probably away from someone in front of me. About 6-7 miles in for the day just a mile or two from the camp store the day started going downhill. My shin started hurting pretty good and was relieved to finally get to the store. Had a Dr.Wham, they didn't have real Dr.Pepper, and a Andes ice cream sandwich. Also had lunch from my feed bag. Had about 5 miles to do to the next shelter and got started. A few miles in the shin really started hurting again and knew I was going to have to take more time off, plus the infection was still worrying. Decided to get to the shelter where the others were going to be waiting and let them know I was going to hitch out in the morning. A mile before at a Skyline drive crossing(one of several everyday) Santas Helper had come out to do trail magic with cokes. So now I had a ride back tonight, he missed most of the hikers but knew the shelter was right by the road so went there. I hiked the last mile and meet and informed everyone of my plans. After that I rode back to town and we also picked up Frizzle and were dropped off at the chinese buffet. We had dinner and then walked back to the church. Setup there and showered and doctored up my injuries. Also asked Santa to take me to the doctor in the morning to get my infection looked at. The night shift for the hostel arrived and it happened to be a nurse at the hospital. She looked at my wound and let me know it was actually doing what it was supposed to be doing and not to worry. She said to actually promote the draining and wrapped it in a warm towel. I also iced my shin splint on the other leg in ice. I then just laid around all night reading.So now I am laid up again for probably a week here at the hostel and will be staying at the library during the days.After this I probably won't be trying to catch up to the others and will just let time do its thing. I will probably be getting back on the trail about the time Shepherd comes through town. Tomahawk will also be taking a week off once he gets near home in New Jersey so might see him again around there.