Date: 2009-05-13
From: Marion, VA

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Met Tagless and Tagalong for breakfast and enjoyed catching up with them. They had been off trail for 17 days recovering from his sugary and were a bit concerned about how their legs would react. They shuttled south and were hiking north to the partnership shelter for tonight.I walked to Dr. Truhlik's office and she gave me a list of Virginia Doctors along the trail I could see as I progressed north. She did it using the handbook she borrowed and comparing it to her list of Virginia chiropractors who live along the trail. Then she sent out an email and got responses back from doctors who would take me on when I got to their area. I am now a relay baton heading north, doctor to doctor. I was not expecting this and thought she went way above the call of duty. We will see how much more therapy I will need as I progress north.Walked back to the motel and prepared to head out for a days hike, half day actually. Extra blister packs on toes and heel. Sore already and haven't even started. Got a ride to Atkins and began the walk back to the Partnership Shelter where I got off the trail a few days ago.Varied terrain today. Began walking through pasture and meadows, gradually progressed uphill through sparse trees and eventually got to forest as I continued up the trail. The trail was very rocky for the second half of the hike. There were many fruit trees in one section and they were splendiferous in their spring formal wear. Pink and white blossoms were everywhere and the fragrance was great. Good enough to make me stop and just breath in the aromas. Eventually I had to move on. Came upon a couple of other different trees also in flower and one was orange, a first for that color for me on the hike. This was a very pretty and aromatic section for sure. I appreciated the beauty of it.I got to the only shelter I was going to pass today and stopped for a snack and to try and alleviate some of the foot pain I was experiencing. I loostened all the laces as far as I could on the lower three quarters of the shoe and just tightened the top to keep the shoe on my foot. I at least got rid of some pain in the ball of my foot. Still uncomfortable around the toe area but better.For the rest of the day I was really pretty happy about hiking again. My feet felt better, I only had the headache occasionally, and my neck didn't hurt. I found my self singing out loud, and looking around at the beauty all around me, instead of just looking down at my feet. The therapy was working!Got to Partnership Shelter at 5:30 and checked in to see how Tagless and Tagalong had made out on the day. They were tired and said it was tough going but they were happy to be back on the trail. Trail Magic occured at that time. A couple of guys came to the shelter and asked if anyone wanted a ride into Marion. Score!!!! I was the only one who was going back and I got a ride right to the motel, even though they lived closer into town. Thanks guys, much appreciated. Bonus, my boots showed up today and they feel pretty good. Wore them to dinner. By the way, you can probably skip the Great Wall's Chinese Buffet, not that good.I decided that I needed to continue to try and max my therapy with Dr. Truhlik and stay and extra day or two. It will be worth it in the long run to feel better while I hike. Today was a real joy to be out. Sunny weather also helped. Stayed up way to late to call Gray Squirrel and tell her that I had had a great day. I couldn't call until 11:30 my time because Wednesdays she works late, but it was good to check in with her.See you on the trail.Nice Lenses