Date: 2023-07-26
To: Wilson Valley Lean To
Miles today: 10.4

Up before 5, trying to get back into routine.  Coffee's been ready early and was good to sip on with Recon.  We both were a little annoyed with a guy that held a flashlight in his mouth to put things in his pack for forty five minutes after Hiker Midnight last night. The real kicker was when he thrw a shirt over the fan blocking air movement in both directions and increased the noise to a deafening level.  Some one that knew him, told hi and he took it off with Recon Shouting Thank You! I think Recon had a special place for his flashlight though! Lol.  We walked to the Country General Store for Breakfast Sandwiches at 6:30.  That place has been awesome for food and Drinks.  Chocolate Milk was cold and good! Back to Shaws to wait for the Shuttle.  They ended up having 3-4, with us snatching the 2nd one.  Poet does a nice job sharing some knowledge for day one hiking and some inspiration for the last of the Journey Northbound.  We hit the Warning Sign, Registered and entered the HMW.  It is different than the other side of the road.  More Rugged and the rocks changed.  I had Fall Number 3, I think, but I am going to quit counting because it's almost daily.  Foot slide down the rock face and the only choice is to land on the right or left butt cheek!  The rock is very similar to the brick color of our fireplace.  Now I can sit at home and think of "The Pain - In the Buttocks - of Maine! It was a rolling trail with Roots, Rock and Mud with no way to get a rhythm going.  I feel energized enough and well fueled, but my knees are and lower legs are the issue.  My left side is worse than the right, but both are swollen, even after a Zero.  Recon gave me the brace that he had used before he settled on his high quality brace. I did t put it on today but plan to use it tomorrow.  I need to get support for hopping down and trusting the foot will stay where it's placed.  It's frustrating because 1 mph isn't going to cut it!  That's about what we averaged today and cut the day way short of the intended target lean to. We did get to experience Wilson Falls down through a Gorge.  It's the Tallest Waterfall on the AT and is pretty cool.  We had to Cross the Wilson Creek down below and that felt good on the lower legs.  The. Up and over a small mountain with a couple of nice views.  Down to another Water Crossing to get to the first Shelter. It was here we decided to call it a day.  So we went for a swim before the crossing.  Wonderful water hike with the rapids massaging our backs!  It was rejuvenating.  Then the climb up to the shelter following a Summer Camp of Boys. They were all at the shelter and told us that they were moving to the next road crossing for the night.  That's the site we had debating going to but now glad we stayed behind in this area shelter.  No real options for Tenting, Sadly enough. Our Spielberg Guest hiker from Yesterday is also in here for the night.  Sad that we got here so early.  Dinner and chores are all done so Recon has resorted to watching a Shelter Ground Squirrel for entertainment, trying to stay awake for awhile.  I am trying to get advil to kick in and planning on sleeping with my head towards the shelter opening to get blood flow out of the legs.  Hoping tomorrow is a better day with longer miles to make up for the 4 miles we didn't complete today.  As Recon says, Tomorrow is another Day! I just keep praying my knees, shins and feet hold out for this second trip through the HMW.  Have to really Keep the Faith and Keep HiKN^!