Betrayed by Toes

It is with the greatest regret that I will have to abandon the AT. A week ago I was headed to Damascus VA for Trail Days. After hiking to within thirty miles of VA , I retired for the night. Almost as soon as I was settled my right pinkie toe began to throb. At 4 a.m. The pain was excruciating. Swelling had caused the toe nail to separate from the toe. Bottom line... I could not walk. At first light I managed to break camp, get my boots on and hike five miles to a road and hitched in to Hampton TN. Connie drove out to pick me up two days later.

It seems that the hot moist hiking boots caused a fungus to develop. So far I have lost two toe nails and three more are on the way to falling off. This is not the way I wanted this to end. 

Overall this was a great adventure. Over four hundred trail miles through snow, ice, rain, cold, fog, wind and mud. Many wonderful days hiking in shorts and t-shirt as well. I really miss the trail and most of the other hikers. Would I do it again???  You bet cha!  The last few days on the trail passed through some beautiful country with water falls and lush meadows. Spring was transforming the stark woodland to an amazing greenscape. I saw so much but I will miss even more. It was an epic adventure!

I'm Back. Roan Mountain TN

After almost three weeks of much needed rest and relaxation, I am resuming "The Hike".  My next destination is the Trail Days event in Damascus VA.  It is seventy miles down the trail and runs May 17-19. 

Stayed at a B&B with Connie at Roan Mountain. Had a great time celebrating Velma's 90th Birthday in FLAwith most of the family. Even gained four pounds due to lots of good eatin',  Will probably lose all that next week   Next stop...Trail Days.