Date: 2018-06-07
From: Wildcat shelter

To: Mile 1384.3 Elk Pen parking lot
Miles today: 10.3

I woke up at 5:30 after a good night of sleep. I closed my eyes again and rested until 6:30. Thumper and Early Bird were already gone. I skipped breakfast not feeling like having the Mountain House scrambled eggs and bacon I was carrying and left camp at 7:20. The online comments for the shelter stated that the privy here was very full so I skipped that and took the blue blaze trail back to the AT North. Within a few minutes I was in the woods off the trail which I'm certain is more sanitary than that privy would have been. I munched on some granola and other snacks shortly after as my breakfast while sitting nearly 2 miles in at the base of Fitzgerald Falls. I hydrated, filtered water and soaked my bandana while taking in the view of my climb. Ready or not it awaited me. When I felt ready I tackled it. Very slowly and with small steps I owned the 1.2 mile climb which I refused to allow exhaust me. I felt victorious and I took each additional climb (several of them) the same way. I was passed my Capt Black who would rush up the climbs and take a break on a rock. He was recently back on trail after 3 weeks off healing from a fall. I was feeling strong and needing fewer breaks by taking it slowly. My goal was less than 11 miles because I know already my body is tired and my muscles and joints sore from constant ups and downs. I had called a motel and reserved a $60 room for the night. I need a shower and laundry. After Capt Black leaped ahead again I took my fall. Thankfully I was near the bottom of a rock descent as I twisted my ankle and fell sideways to the bottom. Thud! Ugh! I'm sporting ugly bruises on my right leg and butt, however I am not injured thankfully! I crawled to my hands and knees and hoisted myself up, dusted off and took a moment to collect myself. Capt Black and I leap frogged for a few hours until finally I took my lunch at a view point where I found the perfect rock seat and got out my ball to roll out my feet while eating crackers and spicy Thai tuna. It was then that I received a text from Thumper who was 2.4 miles ahead sitting on the rocks exhausted and unable to complete her targeted 19 miles. She'll share the room with me if the offer still stands. I let her know I'd be a while because I'm taking it slowly, and she was there waiting for me when I arrived a couple of hours later. She was distressed to have learned of a family emergency while she was waiting for me. I felt very badly. We sat and talked for a few and then made our way over the last mile which as NY would have it contained more ups and downs for us and finally arrived at Elk Pen parking lot. Thumper summoned an Uber which arrived shortly after. A female driver for the first time. As the driver pulled out onto NY 17 she pulled out in front of a red car coming from the left. I couldn't even scream I was so shocked and Thumper went pale. Our driver paused when she saw the red car making the situation more serious. The red car slammed on it's breaks with smoke spewing out from it's wheels and avoided us. Our driver continued conversation like nothing happened. We were speechless. We both felt like we almost just got killed. The driver then dropped us off at the motel and expressed that it has a certain "reputation". We got out and stood there. At this point Thumper isn't sure she wants to stay. I'm just dazed. In the lobby I requested that we see the room before committing to rent it and the owner gives me the key. We check it out and agree that it's not glamorous, the beds are clean and we feel safe enough and we take the room. The owner washed and dried our laundry for us which was desperately needed. It was a tough night for Thumper with her family situation and the day in general. We ordered a delivery from a wonderful Italian restaurant and devoured it. We distracted as best we could by watching the Office episodes until bed time. The motel was quiet and away from the road. We will both hopefully get a good sleep.