4/10/17

Day 30 on the Trail

Today was a really humbling day for me. We woke up this morning early, around 6:15, and started our normal routine of getting out of camp. We knew we had our work cut out for us today after looking at the topographical maps. 24 miles is what we planned to do from Moreland Gap Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter.

We didn't make it. Along the way today my body just started breaking down on me. My feet had blisters popping up all over the place, the front of my right ankle started flaring up, my cold felt like it was getting worse, and the terrain was just putting me in a horrible mood. That sounds fun doesn't it? Yeah, it really wasn't my best day.There were parts of today when I questioned myself on why I was even out here.

My day turned around at lunch. I realized that my body needed me to slow down. So Max and I ended up a few miles short of our goal at the Boot's Off Hostel. As we were having lunch at the shore of Watauga Lake we met Leach and Snacks. They are SOBO's that had gotten off the trail for the winter months. Which I think was very smart. After talking to them a while they offered us a ride into town with one of their friends, Gonzo. We accepted this offer especially since we wanted some good food to eat. So we stopped at the local dinner. I had a BBQ sandwich with slaw on it and a BBQ bacon burger. Then we went by McDonalds for resupply via cheeseburgers. Max and I both bought a few to get us to Damascus.

Taking this short day because of my body conditions almost embraced me. Knowing it was my fault we didn't reach our goal. Although Max was very supportive of our stay because of my condition. During this down time this evening, I was able to do a lot of thinking and come to the realization that it's not how fast you can get somewhere but more so who you meet along the way. Through this delay we met so many new people and met back up with a lot more.

I was also able to really get into my Bible more tonight than regular which was nice! Usually I'm stuck to a routine where I read 2 chapters a night and no more so I can get enough sleep. Tonight was a different story and I can tell it helped me get back focused on the task at had.

Out here it is easy to lose focus and that is something that I pray will change. Today has been such a rewarding day! I hope and pray that the days to come will be just as rewarding.

Please continue to pray for Max and I!

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Location:Boot's Off Hostel