Date: 2006-05-10
From: Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)

To: Miss Janet's hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, definitely taking a zero today. Miss Janet gave me a lecture about going too fast. Although not much of a hiker herself, she's been hosting and helping thru-hikers for a good many years, and definitely knows a thing or two about the trail. She's seen all kinds come and go, and has a good idea about what it takes to complete the trek. Physically and mentally, it's probably a good idea for me to slow down a bit as well. It can be kind of taxing pushing hard all the time without taking a break. So for now, I'm enjoying the town of Erwin and the chill atmosphere at Miss Janet's. I think there are about 16 hikers staying there at the moment. I got up early and helped with breakfast (work for stay. yay!). We scrambled up about 3 dozen eggs, cooked a mound of bacon and an even bigger mound of french toast (another two dozen eggs, etc.). It was great. Took forever to clean up, cuz I did most of it myself. I thought I was the only one doing work for stay, but after I was done and left the kitchen, I saw another hiker painting the hallway, and another hosing down the porch. It's pretty cool. Who knows if they're just helping out or what. But it's nice for Miss Janet to have the help, considering all she does to help out hikers. I was up past midnight trying to get caught up with e-mail and this site, using the laptop at the house. But right now I'm at the library, since it's only a couple blocks away and someone else was on the computer at Miss Janet's. On the way back I'll stop at the P.O. and pick up my bounce box. I'll take some things out, put a few items in, and hopefully end up with a marginally lighter pack for the leg from here to Damascus, VA. I also need to get to the grocery store and maybe the pharmacy today. I think I'm going to start taking Glucosamine Chondroitin, MSM, and/or Sam E as a supplement for my joints. Hopefully I'll be able to find a something that combines a few of these into one pill. I've finally reached a point where my legs and feet are pretty much doing what I ask of them without too much complaining, but I feel like out of cardio, muscle, and joints, my joints are the weak link. For the past few days my knees have been feeling sore on the downhills and at night, so anything that helps keep the ligaments and tendons strong and recover faster sounds good to me.Welp, that's about all for now. Oh Wait! I have a new niece! Mary Kate Colleen Kenny. (Mary Kate is her first name). She was born last Thursday but I didn't find out about her 'til like 3 days later. I got into town, phoned home, and my dad says, "So, I guess you heard about Mary Kate?" I'm like, "Who?" haha. I was thrilled. Congrats, sis! Glad you and MKCK are doing fine.Gotta go back to the house and call Montrail, manufacturer of my shoes. They're falling apart. Started after less than a week on the trail. I'm going to see if I can't get a new pair shipped to me at Damascus, and nurse these ones along 'til then. lots of love to all. Please, do drop me a line and let me know how things are going. sangree99@aol.com. I absolutely love hearing from everyone. It's what keeps me going.