Standing Bear Farms & Newport, TN to Roaring Fork Shelter (6/16 - 6/17/14; mile 255.9)

One of the benchmarks I saw on the trail today.

Another benchmark I saw on the trail today.

A commemorative plaque on the trail.

A panorama from Max Patch today.

My leg, all wrapped up.

Well, it's been an interesting couple of days. I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me I had strained my quad.  He wrapped my leg and gave me a prescription of Mobic (meloxicam). I told him I was hiking the trail and he told me he didn't see any reason for me to stop, but to take it easy and realize that it's going to hurt. I decided to take the rest of yesterday off to let my leg heal and relax.

I called a shuttle and went to CVS to get my prescription filled. It took a little while to get it filled because the insurance system was down.  They finally have it to me at the basic co-pay rate of $15. I left and went to Best Western and got a room for the night. I picked best western because they had a restaurant attached. I went to the restaurant and had a pizza for lunch, then relaxed in my room until dinner time. By relaxed I mean fell asleep.  At dinner time, I went to the bar at the restaurant and had a dirty martini and a meatball sub.  After eating, I went back to my room and started feeling bad. Apparently the sub didn't agree with me. I was nauseous and ended up laying in bed trying to feel better. I woke up this morning feeling better, though not great, but was ready ringer back on the trail.  I had made arrangements for the shuttle to pick me up at 0800. She arrived early and I asked her if we could go to the post office. She took me to the post office, which didn't open until 0830, so we carried on a conversation while we waited.  Once the post office opened, I shipped my broken camelback. Two carabiners and two hot/cold packs home so I wouldn't have to carry the extra weight.

I managed to get back on the trail at around 0920, though it took almost ten minutes to figure out where the heck the trail went! I finally figured it out and set back on my way.

I managed to make it about 15 miles today. The goal being to get into Hot Springs, NC tomorrow afternoon.  'Ill stay in a hostel there then get up and press North.  I estimate that I will be in Elk Park NC the evening of June 25, but that is subject to change.

I'm sitting in a shelter tonight with two other guys, and am chilling getting ready for an 18 mile day tomorrow.  

Time to go to sleep.