Date: 2011-06-01
To: Back to the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

My home visit is drawing to a close. I've seen as many of my friends as I could, but not nearly as many as I would have liked. I spent quality time with my family but again, not nearly as much as I would have liked. Still, it's time for me to go...Tessa has been to the veterinarian, but unfortunately I wasn't able to talk with her. She was in surgery when I came to pick up Tessa. The receptionist was able to tell me that the vet diagnosed Tessa with clostridium colitis (I believe that's what she said). She is also being tested for Giardia. She still has diarrhea, but is otherwise acting fairly perky. Her appetite is good, although she has lost 2 pounds (quite a bit for such a little girl). Still, the receptionist led me to believe that the vet wasn't worried about Tessa. I'll know more in the morning. The Giardia test will be back then, and I'll have the opportunity to speak with the vet and ask all of my questions then. In the meantime, I get the feeling that Tessa is going to be just fine and will be able to get back on the trail with me. I'm going to have to quit indulging her with people food, though. That may have exacerbated or even caused some of this for Tessa. She and I are both going to have to be more disciplined...for her sake.I had a great day today. I got my tennis fix in. I was a little frustrated at my extremely rusty game, but I wasn't surprised. I haven't picked up a racket in two months! Afterward I was able to get together with some tennis friends, which was lovely. I was touched that they presented me with donations for For Aiden, With Love. Thank you, ladies! I assure you that it will go for good works. My brain is back in trail mode. Tonight I finalized my gear, deciding what to take and what to leave behind. I hope to catch some of my trail friends, and with that in mind I am going to post exactly where I expect to be and when, in the hope that maybe someone among my friends might be around to find me. Chances are they are long gone, but just in case, here are my plans as I hike to Damascus:June 1, 2011: Depart Austin; head to Houston for Austin's graduation (sounds confusing, right? Austin is my niece.)June 2, 2011: Depart Houston and head back toward the trailJune 3, 2011: Return rental car to Enterprise Rent a Car, 1435 Highway 105; Boone, NC. Find a ride to the Carver Gap area. June 4, 2011: Back on the trail!!! 374.8 Carver Gap TN to 389.7 US 19E Elk Park TN and Mountain Harbor TN, 14.9 miles(Yes, I have already hiked this stretch, but Carver Gap TN is probably the easiest place for me to get back on the trail, and that stretch was so lovely that I don't mind "retroblazing"--repeating miles I've already hiked.)June 5, 2011: 389.7 US 19E Elk Park TN to 403 Upper Laurel Fork area, 13.3 milesJune 6, 2011: 403 Upper Laurel Fork area to 422.7 US 321 Hampton TN, 19.7 (Big day. Can I do it?)June 7, 2011: 422.7 US 321 Hampton TN to 438.3 Iron Mountain Shelter, 15.6 milesJune 8, 2011: 438.3 Iron Mountain Shelter to 452.2 Abingdon Gap Shelter, 13.9 milesJune 9, 2011: 452.2 Abingdon Gap Shelter to 464.2 Damascus VA, 12 milesJune 10, 2011: Zero Day in Damascus, VA. I intend to rent a bike and take a ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail, http://www.vacreepertrail.com/ I'll probably be staying at Hikers Inn, because most of the other places in Damascus do not allow pets. For mail drop: 216 East Laurel Avenue; Damascus, VA 24236; (276) 475-3788June 11, 2011: Fudge Day. I never seem to meet my goals, so I'm building in a fudge day just in case. At this point I'll post another itinerary to show where I hope to be next.