Change of Plans

As I mentioned in the blog I did last week entitled "I am missing a gear,"  

   I have known for some time now that Adam is now able to hike at a speed and for a distance beyond my ability. As I said there, part of it is certainly due to the age difference but I also at this point realize it is because of the cumulative impact this hike has had on my feet and legs.

    Yesterday morning, Saturday June 2, I made the hard choice to leave the trail and go into a nearby town, Arlington, VT. 

    It was very interesting as to how the Lord worked things. Two days prior Adam planned a 20 mile hike. I was hobbling along the best I could, but at 4:15 I was still 10 miles from the shelter that was the day's goal. I pressed on another 4 miles and only stopped when I came upon another hiker who had already pitched his tent. So I stayed there. I realized that night that something new was going on with the muscles of the calf of the left leg. I also saw I had some serious blisters on the heel of my right foot, so I taped them up well before the taking off early the next a.m. in hope that Adam might wait for me at the shelter 6 miles out. I got there by 10:15 and found him waiting. We then did 8 miles to the next shelter,  

   Story Spring, making a 14 mile day for me but a short 8 mike one for Nephew.

    I noted that night that the pain in my left calf was no better and that I now had a serious blister developing on my left heel. 

    The plan for the next day involved a 20 mile hike which included climbing Stratton Mtn, which is not a big one in comparison to others we have done, but still a climb. 

    I had only walked a few miles when I came to a nice gravel road. At that point I knew for a fact I could not continue on physically and I certainly could no longer entertain the idea of making it to Kathadin with Nephew. So I dropped my pack and prayed "Lord, I know I am in the middle of nowhere, but if it is your will for me to stop here you are going to have to send a car." Less than 10 seconds later a local guy pulled up. Amazing! Jeff agreed to take me to a motel in Arlington, VT. He really blessed me and I think he also enjoyed our conversation.

   So after settling in, I called "Home Base" Kim Crane's trail name, and asked her to confirm with Nephew that he was going to make it into Manchester. After receiving his confirmation he would stay there Saturday and Sunday nights, because he has packages at the post office there, I asked my brother to book a ticket for me out of Albany, NY to CLT on Monday; which he did.

     This morning I hitched a ride easily to Manchester and am spending one last day with Nephew before leaving. We have had a good time.

    The plan now is for him to continue on solo to

  Kathadin. On my side I will return home, heal up, and then return to VA where we started and head south solo to Springer Mtn in GA. Note that when I say "solo" it does not imply I will be alone a lot. I am sure I will team up with various people along the way.

    After talking to my best bud, Dr. Chuck Burnham, I suspect what I have happening is shin splints; hopefully in an early stage. God willing, they should heal quickly. There is a type of calf compression sleeves one can buy to help with such a condition, so a pair of those may be in my future.

   Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us and keeping up with us through our blogs, pictures and trail journal. No matter how long I live, I will never forget the sight of that car pulling up just as I finished praying.

    God willing, this thing is not over yet. Just a change of plans!  BTW, I hiked 735 miles before stopping.

David Crane ( Uncle)