Date: 2012-06-06
From: Stoney Brook Road

To: Winturri Shelter
Miles today: 9.3

This day began badly for me, but got better!  I woke up this morning with my back really hurting.  I don't know what brought this on.  Generally, my back is at its best when I'm hiking.  All the step-ups & stretching keep it limbered up & loose.  But, this morning, it hurt.  I took 2 Aleve & we went downstairs for coffee & breakfast.  Every chance I got, I was stretching it.  Our shuttle driver called to say he'd be late, so I had plenty of time.  We were the only guests at the Inn, & there was plenty of room to lay down in the living room & stretch.  The shuttle was very late, so it was late when we got to the trail.  Right off the bat, there was a somewhat challenging stream crossing.  There was a bridge here last time I hiked this area, but Irene had destroyed it.  My back is making it hard for me to maneuver around on the boulders at the edge as we looked for the best place to cross.  I found a good spot & Judy rock-hopped right across.  I could not.  My back was so stiff that I felt I just like I could not make the big step & keep my balance.  The guy who shuttled us threw in a couple more rocks in another spot & called me to where he was.  In trying to climb around the boulders, I lost my balance & caught myself with my knee on a piece of rebar.  The rebar was part of the wreckage from the old  bridge.  I made it across the stream & immediately started to cry!  Judy gave me a hug & got her first aid kit out to doctor my knee, which has a little gash & is bleeding.At this point, I could have had the shuttle take me someplace up the trail where I could wait for Judy since I have already hiked this part of the trail.  But, I really didn't want to.  I knew my back would probably loosen up once I got hiking & that all my other afflictions--& I do have a list at this point--can be mostly ignored. We didn't get going until after 10:30.  I started out quite slow & Judy waited patiently at the top of each hill.  I was feeling quite miserable & sorry for myself, & I finally told Judy to go on without me.  I told her to wait for me at a trail intersection about 6 miles down the trail.  She was resistant at first, but I insisted.  I just felt that I needed all the pressure off.  I didn't want to try & keep up & I didn't want her constantly having to wait.  As predicted, the back pain began to ease up as I hiked.  After a mile, or so, it began to rain.  When I took off my pack to get out pack cover & my rain jacket & hat, I also took out my little Nano I-pod that Bob bought for me & loaded with music before I left.  I walked in the rain, listening to music, & my spirit (if not my body) began to heal.  My husband did a very good job picking music for me!  By the time I caught up to Judy, the sun was out & my back was feeling better.  We had planned a longer day today, but with the slow start & rain, we opted for a shelter & called it a day about 4:00.  I was disappointed that we didn't make our day's goal for the first time, but it was starting to rain again, so the shelter seemed like a good idea.One very exciting development:  lots of moose poop & tracks!  No moose sighted, but we know they are around!There was another hiker in residence when we arrived.  A very nice young man from NH.  It is going to be very cold tonight.  I expect to be cozy warm tonight & maybe the back won't be so stiff tomorrow.