Trail Letter 4: 3/19, 3/20
5.5 drugged miles today. My baby toe blister has turned quite sour — pictures of it will surface eventually. Feezel has some “Vitamin I” as we call it — it’s prescription strength ibuprofen. So after axing the pain with V-I, we trekked through some heavy winds and a medium rain to Fontana Dam.
After picking up our mail drops at the P.O., we decided to get a room for the night and wait out the bad weather. (Thanks for the awesome mail drop, mom!)
Bought a poncho-tarp and sent home the rain jacket, pack cover, and gaiters. Probably cut around 1 lb. from the pack, and I think the poncho tarp will be much more effective than the rain jacket/pack cover combo. The gaiters just didn’t prove to be useful.
We start the Smokies tomorrow — home sweet home! Hard hiking, but great environment. Gonna stop for a couple days at Bigfoot’s house for some Easter dinner leftovers and relaxing in the hot tub… my feet will absolutely love that.
A huge thanks and love to those who left messages on my phone — it’s more encouraging than you imagine. (And some of you may have noticed, like Drew did, my mispronunciation of “Appalachian”. The correct pronunciation is “appel-a (as in apple)-chun”.)
3/20
17.8 homeward miles today. After crossing the Fontana Dam, Bigfoot and I began the initial descent of the Smokey Mountains. Feezel left the hotel earlier in order to start his day earlier in order to get to his home, family and girlfriend earlier. He’s going to take two days off while Bigfoot and I trek on, then we’re going to take two days off at Bigfoot’s while Feezel catches up.
The day off did wonders for the body, as the miles today weren’t terribly difficult, but I did indulge in some Vitamin I early in the morning — my blisters are still nasty looking (and feeling). I popped the one on the heel of my foot and cut away the skin, and I’ve been cleaning them both with alcohol as much as I can handle… Where’s a nurse when you need her?
There are 4 girls at this shelter — Olivia, One Way Ticket, Graceful, and Little Bear — who make up “The Four Sisters”. It’s great to see some estrogen out here thru-hiking, especially girls our age.
Gonna haul butt to make it to Bigfoot’s on Easter night — leftovers!!
March 29, 2008 at 7:43 am
Dear Jon,
So happy to hear you had a much needed Easter respite and time to give your tootsies and aching bones some TLC. Golly, I’m making you sound like a senior citizen. I can certainly relate to “tender” feet even tho I’m not a hiker. My feet used to develop tender spots, sores, etc. for many years until I found out I couldn’t wear anything with vinyl, polyurethane, etc. which have oil byproducts in them. Since I started wearing leather shoes exclusively, and preferably, lined with leather, my feet have been able to breathe and the problem took care of itself. Don’t know if this concerns you, but it’s all I have to offer. I was lucky enough to find out I was allergic to the manmade materials. You are on my mind (all of you) and prayers, daily. And of course, I’m giving up-to-date, blow by blow accounts to the “gang” here. I love you much. Nibbles. GrDi