Date: 2004-06-14
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Junction US 11/A 683, Relax Inn
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

That's going to be a long one.Oje, oje, oje. Itching and scratching. The whole night long. Even my face was swollen, felt red and hot and the ears felt twice as big as usuall. O.k., now I believe: poison Ivy is really, really awful and I know now I am unfortunately a person that shows the allergic reaction. Definitely. Some don't. I DO ! I felt pretty battered this morning.I walked down to the Motel as fast as I could since I was afraid it could get worse. The mirror showed me my face could be used as a red traffic light. A mobile red traffic light with a rucksack crossed the lonesome summermeadows this very morning. It had a hearty breakfast at the Truckers restaurant. Not many occasions to see a thing like that.I checked in the Motel and had several warm soapy showers during the day. In the hope to get rid of the oily stuff. Between the showers I used this CALAMINE Lotion (aehnlich wie Kieselerde). Helped much better against the "oozing and weeping of poison Ivy. Satisfaction guaranteed" than the antihistaminicum. So I hoped I could manage to stop scratching becose scratching is VERBOTEN !. It spreads the stuff out over the skin. Early afternoon Trogdor and Nomad passed by and said hello. Bang, bang, bang: "Secret Service ! Open the door ! Show your papers !" Such nice, friendly characters. They had noticed my boots beside the door. They are going further to the next shelter today. Maybe I saw them the last time. They are strong hikers. I felt a bit sad since they have given me good companionship during the short time we hiked together.Oh, oh, oh. This is the Virginia Blues.I guess a cheeseburger will help. Had a Blizzard instead (spezielle Eiscreme, lecker). And it helped, indeed. Than I bought some hiker food in the truckstop shop. The lady at the counter saw my face and was shocked. She recommende to see the doc. When the rash comes to the face you can inhaled the stuff and severe respiratory problems can develop. And that perhaps while being on the trail 2 days or 3 from the next town. It could even develop an anaphylactic shock syndrom. She said: "You must go to the medical center. They'll give you a shot." Well, to get a shot sounds really strange for German ears. A Shot? A final shot? I want to stay alive, you bet. I don't want a shot . I hate to visit a doc ! I am fine. I like nothing better than to feel like a red traffiv light. But, admittedly, I felt more and more uneasy - actually I felt shocked. Nomad said also: "Don't be silly. Go to get a shot."4 pm. The health clinic in Marion, about 6 miles away closes at 5 pm. The motels manager shuttled me and I had my shot. Cortison, as I already had expected. The staff was very nice and the doc plans to visit Germany. She wanted to know where she can hear chamber music in Germany. Prefers Bach. I made a list, gave it up and gave her my e-mail adress. Anyway, first she is visiting with her father the Nomandie. He joined the troops that had landed there on D-day. He wants to see the solder cemetries before he dies. That was all really nice. But she didn't tell me, that I have to wash all my stuff including sleeping bag since the toxic substance sticks at it. Trogdor did that.Shuttle back. And who is in the car ? Sparepocket with a cute German Sheppard puppy. Adorable. It's named Tag (from taggle along, I believe). Tag has decided to be adopted by the 3 (K-Bear, Sparepocket, One-Thing)and followed them when they left Damascus. They tried to find an owner or somebody who wants to take Tag. No way. They didn't want to walk with a dog, of course, and felt in love with her immediatly. Trailmagic ! Since they wnat to make Tag walking so many miles a day Sparepocket took her after 3 days walking and went with her with the shuttle to their next metting point - Relax Inn. Now she is trying to find a plce for the dog to stay at least for 4 month. She would take it herself after she will have finished the trail. Unbelievable !As for me, I had an enjoyable evening. I spent the rest of the day washing my sleeping bag carefully on the surface with warm water and soap. Twice. INFO: Relax Inn charges now as hiker rate 42 bucks(not 35 bucks)as it is indicated in the book. The manager charges (at least) $ 1/mile for a shuttle.The Food Mart at the Truckstop provides beside Horny Goat Weed in the entrance area good stuff for short term re-supply in the back area that gives you a lot of energy as well . But is quite expensive.The Dairy Queen provides also some food for short term re-supply. The service is really bad and unfriendly and the cheeseburger was even worse than the one's from McD. The Blizzards (had another one in the evening) are great.The Restaurant "Barn", country style meals: I had better one, but it was o.k. the waitress had a hack of a work to do and did her best.At last: The puppy Tag has a new owner tomorrow. She is off the trail and goes to Sparepockets neighbour. My sleeping bag is already dry again. I have a full tummy and am painted white with the miracolous Calamine Lotion. So, everything worked out well on these disastrous day at last. it must get better since it can't get worse. I am going to tackle the trail again tomorrow morning.