Today we get to slackpack again! We woke up early and Monkey Senior drove us the two hours back to the trail. We were starting around 10:20a. He was given the trailname, “Coastie”, because he had been in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Coastie hiked with us for eight miles. Lucky for him, it was pretty easy hiking. After those eight miles we hit a road crossing where Momma Monkey met us with lunch.
While we were eating at the car, Scribbles showed up. I thought he had been way ahead of us. Turns out, he got Lyme Disease and had to take a few days off. He said it started with him being more tired than normal. Then his knees began to hurt – a lot. When he went in, the doctor knew right away what was going on. After just twenty four hours of being on the antibiotics, he knee pain was gone and he was feeling better. Now he’s “key swapping” with another hiker to make up for miles he is behind on. He’ll do that for a short period of time and will go back to hiking the trail normally. I’m glad he’s better. He’s the first hiker I’ve personally known to get Lyme’s. Although, I know that statistically, a good percentage does. Tick checks, tick checks, tick checks. Even when we are tired we need to be diligent to do our tick checks. Warthog and I are lucky we have each other to look. Otherwise, how do people check their scalps? It would be incredibly difficult.
After lunch Coastie stayed with Momma Monkey and the four of us hiked on. We had another eight or so miles to cover. Of course this half of the day got much more rocky, steep, and overall difficult. We tried to hike fast knowing someone was waiting on us.
We got back to the car around 6:15p. Snow Monkey’s brother, Brian, lives about fourty five minutes away from where we were. The plan was to drive there for dinner, celebrate his birthday (which is on Wednesday), and stay the night.
In the morning, Brian would drive us all back to the trail. I’m excited for one more night in a house. I’m worried though that I’m getting a bit soft with all of the showers and bed stays lately. Being in the woods sure does teach you to appreciate the luxury of small things… like a roof or running water.
-ansel