Date: 2003-08-10
From: Raush Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter 
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: moderate rain

Today I woke up and started the hike in rain. Chaffin was a problem form ysterday, the left sid and the inner legs were taw from the elastics from my underwear. It was so unbearable that iI had to go camando and had to remember to sit like an lady. One of the ladies in the shelteroffered me some dry toilet paper, so now I don't have to look for leaves. That cheered me up a bit. My toes were still raw, so putting on the wet socks was painfull, I really thought Of hell. I hiked a good pace to began with, but each step was getting worse with pain. So I tried to block it out. Then I saw blue in the sky and felt better.I came across a cool old iron bridge from Berlin, Conn. it mad me feel better, like a little bit of home was with me. It sort of made me miss my friend Trish who is from that town. I sat there to eat and relax for about an half hour. I also took pictures, I hope they come out. At that Point in the day I noticed my Camel-Back leaked all over inside of my bag, soaking everything a little more. BUMMER! Onward I go.I came across a really rocky section right befor the abbanded power line sign. A perfect hideout for snakes. The rocks had a light coating of moss over them making them slippery. This caused me to use 3 words from the Companion Glossary.BANANA-a sudden slip were your feet go flying in the air.as a slipping on a banana peel.TURTLE- Falling on the back. laying on your pack unable to get up with all four limbs in the air.RED BLAZING- Leaving blood on the trail, via fall or injury.Thinking of rattlesnakes, I had to remove my pack off my body befor I could stand up. Then I noticed a big gash on my left leg. At this point alls I could hear in the back of my head was Bob's (an AMC Climbers) voice giving me advice prior to my hike "Some days your just going to be misserable and want to quit. Don't do it just keep going on, you will be happy you did ." I took a deep breath in and said out loud in middle of nowhere "Katahdin here I come! You may kick my ass, but here I come!" as I stepped every step with a burning pain.I made it to the first shelter. As I hiked in I noticed a dayhiker, Chad sitting in a hammock. I said a quick "Hi" and down to business. I needed to take off my shoes, which came off easily, now it was time for the sock. They were way more painful as I peeled them off. My middle toes no longer had sores on them, they turned into oazing yellow crusty wounds, that where bright red around them. Now envolving 3-4 toes. Alls I could do is sit there and watch them oaze for minutes, trying to pat them dry. They oazed faster then I could pat.Chad offered me a ride into town for food and supplies. Still watching to oaze I declined, because I just resupplied 3 days ago. Then he looked at my feet and offered to take me to the mall, where I could get new shoes at EMS. I did take him up on that offer. So on goes the Teva's with my oazing toes sticking out, we hiked in the mud to the road. He even carried my pack as we hiked to the car. We just made it to the store befor it closed. Now I have a new pair of shoes Salmons "Exclaim". I probally wont be able to wear them for a couple days, but I hope they will make my feet a bit happier. After the shoe purchase we did what every hiker loves the most, we ATE! Chocolate Milkshake, Quesadeas, salad bar, and the worlds biggest burger, OH YEAH!!! Then to top everything off I was able to shower, check E-mail, and call home. I didn't get back to the shelter until late. I felt bad because I picked Emily up some ice cream, but she was a sleep when I got it back to her. So I had to eat it, pour girl. I owe her one.Well my toes are still oazing and I need rest.Goodnight!Buttercup