Date: 2013-04-19
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: Pearisburg, Virginia
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

As I have already shared, the incredibly delicious and healthy meals at Woods Hole Hostel begin with everyone joining hands in a circle and then individually sharing with the group something they are thankful for. As we began our hike after breakfast this morning, Pumpkin Pie commented, "At I first I thought it was kinda weird. But after a couple of meals I realized it was good to think of and express something that you are thankful for." I agree. We ate 4 meals At Woods Hole Hostel, and I expressed thankfulness for my wife, for my family and friends back home who are so supportive of my hike, for the great group of people that I am hiking with, for Hoosier's invitation to be part of his thru-hike, and for the peace and lack of stress I feel since all I really have to do today is follow the white blazes.I did not expect today's short hike to be eventful or special, but it turned out to be that way. For the first few miles we did our version of "Dancing with the Rocks." Then, as we do most every day, we went through a nice section of green tunnels made by rhododendron (or mountain laurel). After that, the trail followed a long ridgeline at about 3,500 feet and gave us some really nice views of the beautiful farms in the valley. I sat on a ledge and felt the force of the wind. It was really cool to look down the mountainside and see distinct lines marking spring's approach. The trees on the lower elevations were already green. Then there was a section with some color from the yet-unopened buds. At the higher elevations everything is still brown. It was fun hike through all three zones as we descended into Pearisburg. All the green in the valley really captured our attention. We asked each other, "What are those green things on the end of those tree branches?"It rained on us a bit while we hiked, but the harder rains came later in the afternoon. I am writing this while I do my laundry. Then I will resupply at a local grocery store for the next 4-5 days. Then our "hiking group" is going to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. The very difficult news is that Hoosier fell again and re-injured his already badly hurt ankle and lower calf /shin. I sensed that he wanted and needed space, and I gave it to him as he choose to spend much of the day hiking alone . . . which is not like him at all. I saw how badly he was limping and the obvious pain he was in and knew he needed time off the trail to recover. At the end of the today's hike, he told me that he needs to zero tomorrow. I responded that he needs to zero for at least 3-4 days to get that leg better. He agreed. To give him the freedom he needs to really rest, I told him that I would continue my hike tomorrow without him. I have just a few days left to be on the trail and Hoosier would not want me spending them sitting in a hotel room with him. In that case, he would become anxious for me and push himself to get back on the trail before he is ready or should. I restated what we both knew: the most important thing to both of us is that he gets off the leg and gives it time to heal so that it doesn't jeopardize his ability to complete his thru-hike. We've now had several hours to talk about it, and both of us are sure that this is the right decision. Hoosier says that he is relieved to be doing the right thing. He thanked me for making it easier for him. Please pray fervently that that Hoosier's leg will heal. The doctor we are hiking with has graciously looked at Hoosier's leg daily including this afternoon. (Only we know he is a Dr. He has not revealed that to everyone or he would be practicing medicine full time on the trail with all the aches and pains that hikers get.) His assessment was encouraging. He says that despite the amount of discoloration and swelling it still looks to him like a pulled muscle. In this case, the muscle being affected is the one on the top of his foot going up toward his shin (which is where the still weeping wound from his encounter with the barbed wire is). This is not the climactic way we envisioned our hike ending together. We have a special bond. I love Hoosier and will forever be grateful for this experience with him. We have spent nearly 24 hours together every day for weeks, sometimes in stressful situations and often when tired or hungry. Never has tension or irritation separated us. I am grateful for what Hoosier has taught me. I am a better person because of knowing him and hiking with him.