Origin: Wilson Creek Shelter
Destination: Jennings Creek
Today's miles: 17.0
Total miles: 752.7
Due to yesterday's short day, we needed a big day today. We supplied for four nights of food to get us to Buena Vista so we don't have much wiggle room. Despite waking up early, though, we didn't get moving until 8:15am. We then spent the morning crisscrossing the Blue Ridge Parkway over rolling terrain before taking a long lunch break.
By the time we reached our next resting point, Magge had a very pained look on her face and I could tell she was at her breaking point. She has put up with many aches, pains and other issues and she just wasn't having fun anymore. Because she's stubborn, she'd hike to Harpers Ferry anyway, but I made the call to cut her adventure slightly short. As my dad told me, you don't want to make this trip work because we work enough as is, and this is now painful work for Magge. As upset as she is about not finishing, she's relieved to be done and I'm incredibly proud of her for fighting this far. This trip was actually her idea (Magge denies this, but Marcia and Lee can back me up that she brought it up at dinner and I was initially cool to it) and I doubted she'd want to do it long enough for us to even leave for Springer Mountain. Instead, she's put up with flat feet, a sore ankle, freezing rain, frozen clothes, torrential downpours, twisted knees, face plants in the mud, heat and humidity, near hurricane-force winds and more. I'll miss my hiking partner over the last 240 miles.
We managed to make it another three miles before setting up camp by a cool creek. We have two 14 mile days before Magge will get picked up by her mom.
Well I am proud of you both. See you soon LE (Little Engine)
ReplyDeleteNow on to the next adventure.
Josh and I will leave at 130 tomorrow, cannot wait to hold my precious wonderful girl of whom we are very, very proud. Very proud of our dear son in law as well
ReplyDeleteDespite not finishing the whole course, Magge, you did an outstanding job in completing over 700 miles in about two months. I don't know many people who can brag that they have walked even 100 miles consecutively roughing it. No, just the rarae aves, and you are one of those :)
ReplyDeleteProud of you, Magge!
Jeffrey please be safe and don't push yourself too too hard. Miss you! :)