Erwin TN. Mile 341.5. Sunday April 21

Connie is traveling to Erwin to pick me up so we can go to Naples FL to celebrate her mother's 90th birthday. The original plan was that she would get me on the 31st. The trail has a different schedule and time table.

The AT has taken a toll on my old body. In Hot Springs I stepped on a scale and am down 18 pounds. I eat but am not hungry. My energy level in the afternoon is low.

My knee is sore and somewhat swollen. It bothers me most on down hill portions of the trail. Have to take "baby steps" so knee does not feel like it will collapse.

I have lost most of my toe nails due to a shoe disaster in November. The problem occurred in November it just has taken this long to be resolved.

Bottom line - I still want to continue on the trail but I need to time to recover. I will not make it to Maine this year but 1100 miles to Harper's Ferry WVA seems possible. I hope that two weeks off will give me time to stage a comeback.

From the beginning I said I would continue as long as I was enjoying the experience. The experience is wonderful. I want to be like Arnold when he says "I'll be back".