Pretty uneventful day today, but it feels so good to be in the woods. I talked more to Calories today – he just graduated high school in Atlanta. Coolest things about him? He picks locks! All kinds of locks! And not for shady reasons, he prefaced. He goes to trade shows and lock picking competitions and has his own kit and a number of lock models that he practices on at home. The competitions are like the Rubik’s Cube or Cup Stacking challenges you can see on YouTube. Calories wants to apprentice as a locksmith after the hike.
My leg also started hurting today. It’s been frustrating – months of Physical Therapy, and I just can’t kick the pain. I’m stretching almost religiously out here, but this dull pain above my right glute has been getting worse. I am borrowing Bob’s (no trail name yet) trekking poles tomorrow to transfer some weight to my arms. He hasn’t been using them. They have a saying – “the trail provides” – and I’m so grateful to have gotten the poles.
Otherwise, we found another awesome swimming hole at the shelter and took a dip. There’s a group of about 10 of us reuniting at the shelters each night, occasionally seeing each other on the trail throughout the day.
Bed time. We’ll see what tomorrow brings!
Trails And Travels 