Date: 2006-06-16
From: Catawba

To: Daleville
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: few clouds

By Righty I was definitely stiff and sore this morning and got off to a slow start. When I got to McAfee Knob, a very famous lookout on the AT, the sign said I had been 3.5 miles and it took me 2 and a half hours. Not a good start to a long day. However, it was absolutely breathtaking there and I decided to wait for Lefty so we could take some photos and show that occasionally we do get to see some wonderful views. I waited for 45 minutes and she didn't come; so I decided I'd better get moving so I would get done before dark.There was a 6 mile stretch until you got to another popular area called Timber Cliffs. This was beautiful as the trail actually went along the edge of the rocks for miles. It was lots of mini ups and downs but so beautiful you didn't think about it. I actually almost stepped on a rattlesnake along the way. I didn't see the snake on the trail and had planted my pole near it. It struck at my pole and I jumped back. Then, I could hear it rattling. I'm sure it did before, too, but it didn't register. That woke me up.I stopped at a shelter for water that was about 10 miles from our end point. My foot had started hurting in the last couple of hours, so I took 4 Ibuprofin and hiked out. By the time I had gone 3 miles or so, my foot was really bothering me and it was hurting EVERY step. I kept trying to walk through it; what other choice did I have? The only good thing about NEW pain is that you forget about all your old pains. I wasn't even thinking about my knees now! The pain in my heel just got worse and worse and I could hardly step down; and the terrain was still rocky with steep ups and downs. Finally, exhausted and in tears, about 6pm, I called my own personal medical advisor, my daughter Shana who is an RN. I really didn't know what to do and was afraid I wouldn't be able to get down off the mountain. That and I really needed some sympathy. She told me not to take anymore Vitamin I because it would mask the pain and I may do more damage to the tendon. She also told me I had to "tough it out" and deal with the pain and keep moving and that I COULD DO IT. That isn't what I wanted to hear; but knew it was good advice. It took me till 8pm to do the 2 miles across the top of the mountain going up and down and over boulders and rocks and crying out in pain with every step. Fortunately, there was no one around to hear me because I was blubbering like a baby. Finally, I was done with the ups and downs on the top and actually started to go down the mountain. It was still tough, but more manageable. Shana had called Andre to let him know I was in trouble and he started to hike up towards me. He only got in a mile or so; but it was so good to see him. About that time, Lefty finally caught up with us (that's another story) and we hiked out just as it got dark. Andre had already set up our tents in a park in the town of Troutdale (this is another story too). We stopped for some food and ice and then headed for out tents. I was able to ice my heel and took a very big, very strong pink pill (thanks Mari) that Shana said would help the pain and make me sleep good. I did get a good night's sleep and was able to put weight on my foot in the morning.