My feet are gettting 'The Itch'

And it ain't that I-don't-wash-thoroughly-enough itch.  It's time to move on.  The Trail is calling; I'll see it within 72 hours, max.

The official diagnosis from the orthopedic doctor was bursitis, or inflammation of the fluid sacs in my left knee which aid in reducing friction of tendons over bones.  The inflammation caused my ankle and leg to swell and allowed fluid to collect underneath my kneecap.  Treatment was a beefy anti-inflammatory drug and a couple steroid shots in the knee.  And, by 'in the knee,' I mean in the knee.  It was.....well, let's just say I've never had a needle that large in my body, let alone in between bones and tendon.  Dr. Stokes was great, and he certainly tried to keep the conversation moving as he jabbed that turkey baster into my knee.  But I don't think there is any amount of conversation that can remove one's mind from the large obtrusion that is injecting what feels like lava into an area that already hurts to the point of making one hobble as though they have Polio.  All's well that ends well, I reckon; there's a little residual stiffness and slight discomfort, but all in all I'm feeling ready for some walkin'.

So now it's time to formulate a new plan.  With the time spent at the Fontana shelter coupled with the time spent off trail, I've lost about three weeks' worth of hiking.  I will, in fact, be moving ahead of my stopping point; right now, all indications point to southern Virginia.  I can make good time in Virginia, and I've been looking forward to the Highlands.  I hear it's gorgeous....then again, it's all gorgeous in its own way.

I've heard the easiest way to make the Universe laugh is to tell It all about your plans.  So, I'm just gonna stop making plans and simply walk.  I want to move forward; the end is out there somewhere.  And besides, I'd rather make the Universe laugh by some wittier means....it sounds to me like schedules to the Universe are the equivalent of fart jokes to a teenager, and that's just not clever enough.  After all, I used to be funny professionally.

Well, folks, I think that's all for now.  I'd like to quickly say that I really appreciate the positivity that so many people have sent me, even before this whole trip began.  Many have commented that they are living vicariously through my endeavors.  I welcome your mental companionship; hiking the Trail has already given me a greater sense of something beyond myself, and knowing y'all are walking with me just helps affirm that feeling.  It also means I have license to do it up in even grander fashion than I would singularly....I look at it like a pregnant woman eating for two.

The best part is we're just getting started.

I'll be in touch.

-Whispering Beard