Captain's Hiker Feed

First off, ankle is doing better, but it is still a little sore and I am taking is slow. Friday night got a shuttle back to the Captain's for his annual Hiker Feed on Saturday. Lots of food, beer and hikers. Came across some people I haven't seen in a while and it was good to catch up. Getting a shuttle back later today and will continue with an easy day today.

Went over Dragon's Tooth the other day and climb to the top of one of the rocks and had lunch. Spent almost 2 hrs on the huge rock. Was a funday coming down the rocky side. Had an awesome day and to top it off had AYCE at The Homeplace, great food.

Stats:
Day: 43
Mileage: 694.2
Average: 16.5

Rest

On Saturday my left ankle started to bother me and I have decided to take a few days off and rest. I am not really sure what has caused the pain but I think it might have been the rocky terrain the last few days and the fact that I was hiking at a quicker pace. I have decide to drop it down a notch for the next week and will only be doing about 10 or so miles a day. I am hoping it is nothing serious and a little rest and easiness will do the trick. Tomorrow I will try it out and hope for the best.

Other than that all is well with me and I am having a wonderful time. The weather has broke a little and had sun on Friday and Saturday for the first time in a week. Friday night I tent by a river with some neat falls, it was really cool. We had a campfire going and were able to roast marshmallows that one us had brought in. A nice little treat after a long day of hiking.

Trail Days & Ponies

After doing 33 miles on Thursday I spent the next 2 days relaxing at Trail Days. To give you an idea picture venders from a state fair mixed in with backpacking gear venders & couple 1000 hikers. Ob friday ended up getting my haircut, still have the beard, and i also gave blood. It was a lot fun, was able to see some of the people I had hiked with for a few days. Saturday there was a Hiker Parade with past and current thru hikers. The locals lined the streets some with water balloons and squirt guns, ton of fun.

The other big thing on Monday while hiking came across maybe 30 wild ponied, 3 groups in different areas. It was pretty cool to see, I was able to get some good photos. I counted 8 new yearlings with the groups.

The weather has been pretty gloomily the last few days. Rain on and off with no sunshine. Staying pretty dry but would like some sun.

Stats:
Days: 31
Miles: 503.2
Bears: 0
Deer: 6
Snakes: 4
Turkeys: 3
Raccoons: 1
Turtle: 1
Wild Ponied: 30

Trail Magic

Missed the big storm last night, was happy to have a bed a shower at the Hostel. At the lake today a few guys who hiked the trail in '09 had hot dogs, soda, beer and snake out for e everyone. We took a 4 hr break to just relax and enjoy the sunshine. After that hiked another 8 miles or so. Trail days is this weekend and should be pretty fun.

Stats:
Days Mileage: 17.5
Days: 26
Miles: 431.5
Bears: 0
Deer: 5
Snakes: 4
Turkeys: 3
Raccoons: 1
Turtle: 1

New Shoes

Had to buy a new pair shoes cause my boots were killing my feet. They are doing great a few blisters but what can you expect when do 2 20 mile days with a brand new pair of hiking shoes. I am doing great have put in some bigs days. The last 5 out of 6 days I have done over 20 a day with my longest being 24. Spent the night in Hot Springs, NC on Tuesday and had an awesome homecooked meal at the place I stayed. It was nice cause it rained that night so I was able to stay dry and warm.

Stats:
Days: 20
Miles: 312.9
Bears: 0
Deer: 4
Snakes: 2
Turkeys: 3
Turtles: 1 ( for those who complained)