Recovery from Injury

Could there be anything more fairy-tale beautiful than descending to the NOC and watching spring emerge before your very eyes?

Pulled into the NOC for a burger and beer two hours ago and off to do another 7 miles (?)

So many exciting insights on the trail–how it has changed since 2008 and how different it is from hiking out West.

But the computer place closes in 5 minutes, so I’ll have to update tomorrow from Fontana Dam.

Loving the AT! *Ok–now time for those updates* Woke up to find out that my IT band no longer hurts. Wow. That was a fast recovery. I guess sending it happy thoughts worked. I crawled out of my hammock at 7 am—my latest start yet. I could’ve been out earlier, but wanted to give my IT band a full 12 hours to rest (even though all I could feed it last night was mashed potatoes) I met No Worries at Cold Spring Shelter and Scribbles before Copper Ridge Bald (yay! another girl hiking alone!). I met not Nick near Tellico Gap. I was super stoked to run into Road Runner on the way down from the NOC. I correctly guessed that he runs on roads from his name—and thought if anyone knows how to stretch an IT band, it has to be a runner. He was able to give me some great suggestions. Thanks, Roadrunner! Speaking of stretching, I met Yogaman doing some yoga and he’s also having IT band issues. Got into the NOC at 2:50 (also ran down the hill—promised myself I wouldn’t but was trying to call my mom before she left for work at 12 PCT. I made it in time, but she didn’t pick up). Surprisingly, I took care of eating, getting a burger to pack out, getting a beer, shower, resupply, internet, and many phone calls all in 3 hours. Yay for quick chores! Got into Sassfras Gap shelter (what a beautiful shelter) at 8:10 to a beautiful sunset. So, insights on the trail since 2008: It seems to me that there are many more: cell phones, cell phone usage, Iphones (did Iphones even exist in 2008?) young people, guys (and gals) with awesome hipster glasses, trash, women hiking solo There are fewer: uphills, rain, older people That’s my wisdom for now.