Though I was forced off my feet for over 2 months (with a ton of free time to process it all), it's still difficult for me to articulate my feelings in regard to the situation. When I left VA, I had every intention of hopping back on trail within the week. But as circumstance would have it, one week turned into three - and three turned into eight+. Granted, I had a lot of fun during those 2 months off, but I'm still devastated that this injury will be preventing me from completing a thru-hike. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that had it not been for this stress fracture, I would be summitting Katahdin as a thru-hiker.
I would love to be able to say that I'm at peace with my injury - and maybe one day, I will be. I understand in the grand scheme of it all, its really not a big deal. No surgeries were required and I have no permanent, lasting damage. But at the moment, I'm still slightly bitter about it.
My first week home, I drove to the Delaware Water Gap with my best friend to release messages in bottles for our annual "Best Day Ever" tradition.
I have yet to receive a response :/
I knew I would be in the vicinity of the AT, but I didn't realize I would casually look out the window of Alex's car and actually see a white blaze. It felt like a slap in the face; my stomach instantly dropped. I should've been hiking those blazes, not passively driving past them. That night, as I absent-mindedly browsed Facebook in Alex's room, I found myself staring at PMac's picture at Harpers Ferry. I spent the next few hours bawling my eyes out. I was jealous - I still am. Hiking through Harpers Ferry was one of the things I was most looking forward to. And though I know I will someday find myself at the ATC headquarters, it may not be the moment I imagined it would be.
On a happier note... I'm extremely thankful to live in close proximity to the trail - this allowed me to visit hiker-friends while they passed through nearby states and contribute my own form of trail-magic. Looking back, these visits make up some of my favorite moments on the trail.
One of the first things I did when I got home was visit my friend GooRoo in Falls Valley, CT. We went to the batting cages (my first time, ever), drove around town, and found ourselves camping behind the Toymaker Cafe. If I hadn't been forced off-trail, I'm not sure I would have ever met up with him again.
Successful first time at the batting cages!
I opted for the 35mph cage.
(70mph was terrifying)
Right before GooRoo hiked out!
The next morning, I detoured a bit so that I could grab brunch with Peacock before she packed up her life and moved to Arizona. She's such a genuine and fun-loving person - I'm grateful that the AT brought us together.
After visiting an orthopedic, it was determined that I suffered from "patello-femoral syndrome" - basically saying my kneecap doesn't slide in my femoral groove correctly. Though the doctor was pretty adamant that this was my issue (and told me I could return to the trail within the next few week), I requested an MRI just to make sure. Unfortunately, the results showed a large white splotch in my medial femoral condyle -and though my doctor thought I would be happy to hear that I didn't need surgery, the only thing I heard was "your thru-hike is over".
Well, I immediately told GooRoo I wanted to visit once more before he walked too far north. The next day, I hopped back in my car and made my way to Dalton, MA, where GooRoo had been staying for the past few nights. Tom Levardi had generously offered up his guest bedroom for the night - quite a luxury considering he doesn't normally allow hikers in his home. (Unfortunately, due to the increased amount of inconsiderate hikers this season, Tom will be closing his backyard to future hikers, and is taking his contact info out of the AWOL guide.)
Levardi = da man.
The handprint bridge in North Adams, MA.
A week or so later, I found myself driving back to the Delaware Water Gap in order to slack-pack two other trail friends, Buns and Waves. While they hiked, I explored the area and went swimming at Catfish Pond over by the Mohican Outdoor Center. I also ran into some surprise llamas (or maybe they were alpacas).
:( these signs serve as a reminder that I haven't walked all those miles
The place beyond....
~~~style~~~
Staring contests.
After two days of slack packing, we decided to take a much needed zero at the Jersey Shore, where Buns and Waves felt the need to fist-pump about 75% of the time. We spent the day in Belmar (which is super beautiful and full of beach-house mansions), and intended on going to "Beat the Clock" at Bar Anticipation, but seeing as we were grimy hikers, we opted for D'Jais instead. And I'm proud to say that Buns and Waves were lucky enough to witness/experience a bit of the "trash" that the Jersey Shore is infamously known for.
So proud of these handsome fist-pumpers.
I also had the opportunity to visit Buns and Waves once more in order to show them around NYC for a bit. I picked them up in Wingdale, NY and drove them through Times Square. We hung around in Central Park, and took the Staten Island Ferry so we could have a view of the Statue of Liberty.
I had been waiting for Sunshine and Breeze to hike through my area - and the day finally arrived when they texted me saying they were staying at Graymoor Spiritual Center for the night! So I hopped in my car and was soon greeted by the smelliest, friendliest hiker-friends ever! I spent the evening playing volleyball, watching movies, and making new friends.
*sends this pic to sunshine*
Sunshine: "I have no idea where you are"
First time setting my tent up since The Priest
The next day, we found ourselves swimming, showering, and playing cards at Clarence Fahnestock State Park, walking around a surprise street fair, and eating delicious diner food. While I had intended on heading home that evening, the group convinced me to spend the night at RPH shelter, which was 100 yards from the road (meaning I could walk there despite my bum knee).
Breeze and Sunshine at the lake!
After finding out that everyone was upset about the fact that they were unable to visit NYC during their trip, I happily offered to drive them to the city on my way home. I can honestly say it was one of my favorite "trail" days. In the most efficient way possible, I guided the group though... Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, NBC studios, the Lego store, Hershey world, Times Square, Penn Station, the subway, the Staten Island Ferry, Ground Zero memorial, the Bull on Wall Street, Trinity Church, Central Park, and the MET.
Welcome to NY!
At M&M world, finding out sunshines spirit color.
City hot dogs!
"...I have a blog now."
"Saving the Earth, One Pizza at a Time"
The pup! With a carrot!
Sunsets at Lake Wallenpaupak!
I basically lived amongst the traffic on the Cross Bronx.
Driving out on the island!
Sometimes I convince my friends to drive my car for me...
Leaving Sunshine to sleep on the floor of the airport.
Oh! And I registered as a Democrat so I could vote for Bernie.
One of the most important gifts this injury has given me is perspective. The week before I left to come home, I was terribly homesick and wanted to stop hiking. But being forced to quit allowed me to realize that I absolutely adore the trail and the community within it.
Also - I would like to think that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I'm supposed to finish the trail a different year so that I meet someone or fate aligns or whatnot. The thought helps me cope a bit better.
Also - I would like to think that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I'm supposed to finish the trail a different year so that I meet someone or fate aligns or whatnot. The thought helps me cope a bit better.
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