Date: 2003-03-11
From: Niday Shelter

To: Boy Scout Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: overcast clouds

      "Uh-oh......... I got to go." I scurry off to the privy for 15 minutes... Out I came feeling a little better, but I am worried that I may have gotten GIARDIA.   My stomach is quite upset and I feel aas if I just left my entire small intestine in the privy.   I hope tomm I feel better. If not, I am turning around and walking South a mile to the road. Then I will hitch into town and see the doctor. They got medicine that fixes this stuff in two days... or so I am told.   We shall see.      Other than this evening's episode, today was great. ANOTHER clear day with temps in the 60's and ANOTHER 20+ mile day! Not too shabby.      I woke up this morning and was on the trail ahead of FS by 615. I took the morning real slow, pondering many different things. Among which was my exit from the trail. Not sure exactly when I will get off, but I'd like to take a break from the AT before I go to work on it in Maine.   Get back to the civilized world a little... take more than one shower a week.   I think I'll probably buy a greyhound pass and go visit folks.   MAYBE as soon as Harper's Ferry- that was my "new goal" that I set a couple of weeks ago. I am NOT GIVING UP! I will complete the Northern half in the near future. Probably next summer. Also, I would be able to enjoy another part of the trail- the social aspect. If I started back on the trail in May or June of '04 then all of the "normal" starters would just be rolling through. I'm sure it'd be fun.   Anyhow, no sure plans now, but I know for a fact that I still have at least 20 days on this great trail. I WILL walk to Harper's Ferry. And then I WILL do the Maryland Challange with FS. (I dont know if I have explained this one before or not.   The challange is to walk across Maryland in ONE day. 24 hours and 40 miles.... We will do it.) Then I may walk for another 40 miles so that I am at the actual halfway point on the trail- 1083 miles. But as you know if you have been reading my journal, my plans change quick. We will see how long this one lasts.         Anyhow, FS caught up with me around 10 and we joined forces as we cruised up close to Pickle Branch Shelter. Then he stopped for lunch while I pushed on.... UP! The trail went up to Dragon's Tooth and what a climb it was! The heat did not help- I broke into a full sweat. FS met back up with me at the top. When we got to the road that goes to Catawba, we dropped are packs, walked to the store, asked about the Four Pines Hostel (which we would have stayed at if anyone was home) and then we hit the trail again. At the next road, which also went to Catawba, I hitched in to make a phone call. The kid who I hitched with was funny.He said he picked me up "cuz he knows it sucks to walk sometimes."I laughed and then told him that I had been walking for awhile.Then he asked where I was from.I replied "Texas."He said "You WALKED from Texas to here?!?!?"I said "No"He said, "Oh good, I was gonna say that is one heck of a long way!"I said," Yeah I walked here from Georgia."And then he was quiet the rest of the short while, pondering that comment.What a character.Shortly after I got into town, FS pops out of a truck and we get some pizza. Douglas, FS's ride into town, stuck around and then gave us a ride back up to the trail. Thanks!   Then we walked a long, one mile on pizza filled stomachs to here. Then the giardia episode....will I be ok in the morning?