Update on Uncle


  Today, June 6, Renee drove me to an Urgent Care clinic in Shelby, NC and I saw a physician there.  They did an exam and blood work and I was diagnosed as having a mild case of cellulitis and early stage of shin splints.  I say "mild case" because the white blood count was in the normal range.  He recommended I give it two weeks before resuming my hike as far as the swelling connected to the shin splints in concerned.

     So I am taking Naprosen for the swelling and an antibiotic.  I will ice the feet several times per day and also soak them in  

Epsom Salt.  Finally I will elevate them above the level of my head as much as possible.

     I have already ordered a small portable charger to carry, since I was benefiting from Nephew's.  I've also already ordered the AT Guide Book, Southbound version and have downloaded Guthook to my phone, as Nephew was our navigator.  I will also, hopefully, get a camping quilt from "Jacks R Better" which will be more suitable for sleeping further south in the summer.  It's weight is just over a pound and it packs down to just about the size of a softball.  This should help me to have a lighter pack.

     I learned a lot of lessons hiking the 735 miles with Nephew northbound, and having the above mentioned items should place me in good stead when I'm ready to
  strike out again on my own, starting at Swift Run Gap, mile marker 907, in the very southern end of the Shenandoah Nat'l Park.

Uncle