Bum knee

I had actually been avoiding updating this, because I was hoping if I waited a little longer I could just keep updating from the woods and it would seem like it never really happened.. But it did. About a week and a half ago I fell coming down from some slick rocks and busted my left knee. Thankfully I was less than a mile away from Standing Bear Hostel, so I was able to hobble in get in touch with dad, who bailed me out. I've been hanging out at home, in Moneta, VA. I went to see a physician who prescribed an anti-inflammatory, ice and heat, and a whole lot of sitting around.

So the knee isn't getting a whole lot better. I can igor-walk around on it (walk this way!) but stuff like going uphill or downhill, flipping over in bed, getting in and out of the tub, and stairs and general are all still kind of painful. It's likely that some kind of ligament is torn or partially torn. I'm supposed to have an Orthopedic consult this week to figure out what's really going on down there.

It's disappointing.

I've given myself 10 more days until thruhike 2011 is officially over, so send all your good karma to my knee and we'll hope that it gets better.

'til then,
moonshine

Bad day

Bad day today. Was an inch from quitting but feeling better now. Staying at a hostal. Arrival in Hot Springs, NC in two or three days.

Checking In!

The real Moonshine here, checking in from the basement of the NOC outpost in Gatlinburg, TN. Hitched in last night out of the rain. It's a beautiful day here, but it's supposed to be awful weather again tomorrow.

The hiking between here and Franklin has been alright, except for the bulk of the smokies. No views and no bears yet, but I'm only halfway through. It's been like walking through a big wet cloud.

Sorry this blog entry sounds kind of scattered. I always forget what to write about. I have a lot of great pictures that I'll hopefully be able to post in a couple days.

Yesterday I broke 200 miles! Yeehaw.
Now I'm taking a well-earned zero day. This morning I startled the Shoney's staff by eating an inhuman amount of breakfast food. Tons of entertainment all around! I'm looking forward to a visit from Dan shortly, who is driving all the way in from Blacksburg to visit me.

Life on (and off) the AT is good.

Moonshine.

In the Smoky's

Had a damn good time at Fontana Dam. Now 11 miles into the Smoky's with a bum leg. Hopefully it will be better by morning. Lunch time after 5.5 miles. Six more today. No bear sightings but plenty of scat. Leg feels better with pain killers. Weather is cold and rainy; typical Smoky's. Looking forward to Gatlinburg.

17 miles in the rain

Reception is bad but I finally got a cell signal. I did 17 miles in the rain. Feeling great. Heading to Fontana.

Camping at Wesser Bald Shelter

Camping at Wesser Bald Shelter. Did 11 miles today; very lazy. Will pick up tomorrow after a good night sleep.

Eleven miles today

Did 11 miles today then doing 16 tomorrow.