Date: 2011-05-20
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

I might be on the verge of a minor personal miracle. Yesterday, when I came into the shelter it felt like someone was tearing the flesh off my shin, and my legs were so wobbly I was concerned about falling coming down from the Pinnacle on the rocky trail. I figured not only did I not rest them but I probably did more damage. So this morning I dreaded starting, figuring they would feel like they did other days. I assumed I¢d have to hobble along curbing the decision to do a big day. With this in mind I got up this morning and flexed the feet, and sure enough it was sore. I packed up and had breakfast and then did my stretching. When I started hiking, to my surprise, they were a little sore but nothing like I expected. My legs soon loosened up and my sore feet hurt worse than my shin. Sorry for the rambling on about my legs, but my mood is directly related to 2 things, how I feel and the weather. Neither has been good lately. So with today¢s sunshine and my leg feeling markedly better I was in good spirits. Crazy Goose and Ducky on the other hand had sent home their winter sleeping bags and just have light fleece bags. Last night was cold enough where they got up and put on all their clothes, including hats and rain jackets to try to stay warm and get some sleep. In the morning Crazy Goose said he only slept about 2 hours and when they got to Luray today they were going to have to do something about their sleeping bag situation.I hiked all morning sure I was going to see a bear. I tried to hike quietly and I had my camera half unzipped from the pouch, ready to get that shot. I didn¢t see any. Later on today I passed a couple of weekenders out hiking and it struck me how ironic it is to see the difference between thru-hikers and weekenders when I passed them. They each had huge, new, clean packs with tons of gear strapped all over them. Both were wearing crisp, white t-shirts and had clean boots. And, funniest of all, they had bear bells. I¢m not making fun of them, I¢m sure they will have a great weekend and will be very comfortable. I¢m just contrasting how most thru-hikers by now have packs that hardly pass as oversize day packs, they look like they have been dragged through the mud, and the only thing hanging off them are crocs or flip flops, or perhaps yesterday¢s socks which they are trying to dry. You recognized them because they are in the same clothes they have been in for the last month. And, last but not least they stink and are actually trying to see a bear, not scare them off with bells. Neither is better or worse than the other, but you can definitely tell them apart very quickly.I felt so good later in the day today that if the leg improves the next two days I probably won¢t zero at Front Royal. One of the reasons I felt so good was I made it to Elk Wallow Wayside for lunch. Can you say pulled pork, french fries, and a blackberry shake. Yum, yum. I also sat in the grass barefoot for about 45 minutes. Toward the end of the day as I did the last 5 miles into camp I put on some music and really made good time. I kept telling myself to slow down, my legs are still healing. Hopefully the mini-miracle will continue tomorrow and not be just a bad dream.