Lionheart - Pacific Crest Trail Journal - 2013

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Saufleys Hiker Heaven

Tip Toe

I drove a car today. Rather awkwardly at first, but I eventually got the hang of it. There is a certain paranoia that sets in when you haven't driven a car in a month because all you've been doing is walking. Things are fast and scary. I was maneuvering the car through LA drivers who seem to have a habit of drifting out of their lanes. They must be on their cell phones......or drugs. Let me tell you, I drove like a local pro, not having to even hit the highways to reach my doctor destination. I pulled up with absolutely perfect timing.

Are you all on pins and needles? What did the doctor say? He said I was smiling today. Apparently, I was not very happy the first day he met me. I can't imagine why. And all he asked of me was to send him a card when I finished the trail. He gave me some toe jewelry and suggested that I try lacing my shoe differently. Instead of starting with the first rung of laces, start with the second to see if that would provide a little more room. It will be trial and error as I try out the toe jewelry which will need a little added space. May you all heed this warning: He recommends not puting the lace through the loop affixed to the top of the tongue of the shoe. This pulls the shoe onto the nerve running across the top of your foot. On order, keep a close eye, clean and bandage toe for the next week.

I arrived at Hiker Heaven early this evening thanks to my Aunt Mare giving me a ride. I could not miss it a second time. Once I got the nod that I was trail ready I got all my stuff packed back into my backpack. I even went through my food again to make sure I wasn't carrying too much. Toeday was the first day that I did not wear the big boot. Freedom. So basically, I've been limping around for the last week and a half. My body continued to limp even though I did not need to. It's amazing how fast the body adapts. All day I've been having to tell myself to stop limping. Just walk normal. Let your foot run through its normal motion.

Hiker Heaven and the hiker trash here are good medicine. The joy that washed over me when someone shouted out Lion Heart was overwhelming. My friend Katie that I hiked the very first miles with on the very first day shouted out. Apparently she has a myriad of trail names now, my favorite is Special K. I've been wondering how she's been doing and where she was on the trail. Other familiar faces here are The Smiling Gazelle, Rub A Dub, Cookie Monster, Pan, Baby Steps and Bottom Bunk. Plus lots of other new folks to meet. I found an empty cot and have been making myself at home. There was talk of the all you can eat rib buffet in town but my hiker hunger is gone and I could not even be tempted. I've surely gained weight this past week and a half with all the beer I've been trying. Not to worry, I have a few more miles to hike.

So to be clear, I've decided to skip Section D. I'm skipping about 100 miles of the trail in order to keep a more favorable schedule and it's easier for family to drop me in Agua Dulce. But I do not feel disconnected from those miles. I hiked the beautiful San Gabriels in 2009. And one of the mega side benefits? I didn't have to partake in the challenging poodle dog brush dodge.The poodle dog will royally fuck you over with itchy, oozing rash. Blessings are sometimes hard to see.

Entry 67 of 208
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