Date: 2016-06-26
From: stealth site 1229.4

To: stealth caml mile 1251.8
Miles today: 22.4

I woke up this morning and pretty much decided that I have had enough of the AT. It has beaten me down in a lot of ways and I am really tired and for some reason really lacking in energy. I am feeling sluggish and clumsy. I sure in the heck am not going to stop in the middle of Pennsylvania though. No way! I will finish this state in the next few days and then I am going home. I will finish the trail in sections over the coming years. I guess there is always the outside chance I could return this year, but that would only happen with a clean bill of health from my doctor and a foot specialist. I also would have to be totally sure that I had found the correct foot ware for my feet. If I did give it one more shot this year I think I would flip flop and go to Maine and work my way back down to New Jersey. I had a tough morning as I made this decision. I have been thinking about it for a few days. I stopped for a break around 10:30 am and really felt sick by the whole situation. I know I have made many mistakes and I try to listen to listen to people who want to help. I just do not know how to hear people. I feel really stupid sometimes because I can not understand and put into action things that will help me out. It is kind of a life long thing I have always struggled with and it is different then general stubborness. So back to my hike today. After I got through having a pity party for myself I ended up having a pretty darn good day. I stopped by the Elkhart Shelter for water and there were several other people there. I dropped my bag and said hello. After a few minutes I started looking around for my crock to see if by chance someone dropped it off there. This is one of the few shelters that is right on the road so you can actually drive to it. As I looked around I did not see anything, then I saw a hiker cabinet so I opened it and low and behold my crock was right there. I could not believe it. I grabbed it and started telling two other hikers this story when another hiker names Grubb said she had picked it up and carried it the last fifteen miles. I gave her a hug and thanked her repeatedly. I then figured out a way to secure it to my pack. I sure am glad I had not gotten rid of the one I was carrying. It was all just too crazy, but me and my crocks are now reunited again. I left soon after for my afternoon hike. This state is incredibly frustrating with unmaintained trails, poison ivy everywhere, the endless rocks, water that is incredibly hard to come by, and the high population of rattlesnakes on this part of the trail. I was unfortunate enough to encounter two rattlesnakes on the trail today. One big one and a mile later a small one. Not much will grab your attention quicker then the rattle of a rattlesnake. You have to really be careful and wait for them to get well off the path before passing by, at least I do. I hiked all day and only saw a few people. A lot of people have dropped out from what people have told me. For me this has been the hardest state by far for all the reasons above and other reasons as well, like the excessive heat and humidity and the stalking bugs right in your eyes and ears. I smell so bad and a shower does not do much to help because within twenty minutes you are all stinky and sweaty all over again. I just sweat my butt off all day. My pack is so gross. There is also just nothing here that is captivating. It is all blaa and uninviting. I ended up making my way to a restaurant around 3:00pm. It is right at a road crossing. I had a huge cheeseburger and fries and they were both delicious. I even got to watch the part of the nascar race while I was there. I finished up there and was back on the trail by 4:00pm. I hiked on until about 8:30pm where I am camped now. Tomorrow is another huge challenge day. No water source close to the trail for like twenty miles and a really big one thousand food ascent up a massive boulder field. I want to thank everyone for the kind messages you have sent my way. I have loved hearing from you all. I feel good about my decision and really think it is in my best interest to step away at this time. I have had a wonderful experience and I absolutely love the Southern Appalachians Mountains. It was everything I hoped for and even more.