Big Miles>Shin Splints>Home Time

Hey Guys,
After I left Damascus I started doing more miles a day, averaging 22-23 for a week straight. I caught up to some old trail friends that I met back in GA, and ended up forming a group with about 5 other younger folks since we all ended up doing the same mileage for about 5 days in a row. It was fun to get to know those folks better and it made the rainy days more enjoyable. For the past few days we had rain almost every day. Wednesday was one of the rainiest days I've had so far, but we made it to a cool spot called Woods Hole Hostel at the end of the 21+ mile day. Woods Hole was the coolest place I've stayed at so far. It is a log cabin style farmhouse with an additional cabin that serves as a bunkhouse. It is run by a girl named Neville and her husband Michael, who focus on organic and sustainable ways of living. They have a big organic garden any free range animals including goats, pigs, and chickens. We shared communal meals and it was a very refreshing experience similar to Buffalo Cove, the place where I've spent the last three summers.
On Tuesday I began experiencing some slight pain in my left shin, probably from overcompensation due to the pain in my right knee (which is better now). On Wednesday the pain in my shin was worse, but I pushed on knowing the hostel was my destination and I wanted to get out of the rain. By Thursday morning, I was limping around and knew the 10 or 12 miles to Pearisburg, VA was going to be tough. I limped into P-burg with a lot of pain, shared a motel room with some of my knew hiking companions and knew that at least a few zero days were in my future. After talking to dad, he convinced me to come home and I agreed since it is Mother's Day weekend and my last opportunity to come home for the remainder of my hike. So I am back in GA once more, hoping to heal up this injury and be back on the trail healthy for a while. This is also allowing me to do one last gear switch as I have lightened my pack weight and needed to change out a few things. I am also going to bring Kara back out after giving her a week or so of rest.

Due to rainy and cold conditions, I simply did not have the energy/patience/feeling in my hands to take many pictures, but here are the latest ones that I did manage to take.

Kalamity Jane carrying a cow skull she found

This is what a shelter looks like on a rainy day

One of about 20 of these stream crossings I had to face on Wednesday

Woods Hole Hostel

Bunkhouse (left) and farmhouse

This was back in Grayson Highlands, taken by Bobby 

who helped me find the trail after I got lost in the fog

Hopefully my next post will not include any injury notifications. It is frustrating to work so hard to cover a lot of mileage and then having it be negated by an injury that keeps me from hiking. Thanks for all of your support, it keeps me motivated when I face tough times. I am doing this hike for myself, but it is nice knowing that I will eventually get to post pictures from the top of Mt. Katahdin for you guys. Can't wait to continue "The Trial of Miles, Miles of Trials" (as described by Quention Cassidy in the fictional book, Once a Runner).

-Pigpen