Date: 2006-07-12
From: Shippenburg Road

To: Tagg Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

by RightyWe woke up fairly early and got packed up. Scott had made eggs and blueberry pancakes for a group of about 16. This man can cook! Thank you Scott et all for everything. Then he took us to the trailhead so we could hike the 10 miles into Pine Grove Furnace. He took our packs there so we could slack-pack again. As it turned out this had to have been the easiest 10 miles on the entire trail. I got there before Lefty and visited with other hikers already there. I also met Nancy and Cindy, section hikers, from Maine. It was great talking to them. Also, our friend, Sue, who we had met a few days earlier, rode her bike to the Genereal Store to visit with us and to see Lefty eat a half gallon of ice cream. I passed on the ice cream since I learned what a simple milkshake can do to me if I have to hike after. I guess I should have explained that after reaching the "official" halfway point, the General Store holds a contest to see what hiker can eat a half gallon of ice cream the fastest. The record this year is a little under 2 minutes. It was really a great morning of hiking and a great afternoon of visiting with friends.I left at 5:15pm to hike another 7 miles. Lefty stayed on to visit for a while longer. I passed the official half way marker and hiked about 3 miles. Then I had another fall. Lefty would tell you it's my 7th, but I haven't been counting. This time I didn't even see it coming. The path was flat and covered with pine needles. Apparently I tripped over a tree root. I hit my left knee first and then my left shoulder and then the left side of my face. My left arm and wrist were trapped under my body and my pack. Do you have any idea how hard it is to move when you have 40 pounds bearing down on you? I finally got my pack unbuckled and unstrapped and was able to roll over. I twisted my wrist so it was basically useless. My knee was bleeding and all scraped up above where I had skinned my shin the week before. I didn't know what my face looked like, just that it was full of mud and debris and it hurt. THIS TIME I DID CRY. DAMN if I know WHY I have to cry; but I do and it makes me feel better and worse. Ladies, you will probably understand that statement. (Men, you won't have a clue) I actually think I cry out of relief that I can still get up and aren't hurt worse. Is that sick or what?? Unfortunatel, I still had 4 miles to go and I had no choice but to get up and do it. It was very painful. Every step hurt my knee. It started to rain and instead of getting upset about it, I looked at it as a blessing ... it washed off the dirt and blood.As if that isn't all a person can take; after the rain, the mosquitos came out in full force and literally attacked me. That almost put me "off the deep end". I staggered into the shelter an hour later than I expected to and just before dark. It was still raining; but not too hard when I got my tent up. Because of the mosquitos, I climbed right in and didn't get out again. I was so tired and mentally exhausted that I went to sleep with my wet, dirty hiking clothes on. I did hear Lefty come in and set up her tent; but pretended to be asleep. I didn't want to talk to her because I knew she'd be able to tell from my voice that something was wrong; and then I'd have to tell her I'd fallen again. I figured morning was soon enough and I'd be more composed.