After 2 weeks off the trail (that felt more like 4+ weeks), I’m getting back to hiking today or tomorrow!
I stayed in Burlington VT until last Friday. Then I took a bus back to Boston and have been at home in Sudbury since then. I’ve been a real couch potato, with the excuse of resting my knee. Apparently, I excel at being lazy because I think my knee pretty much recovered on its own. I went to the doctor, where they took x-rays and concluded it was tendonitis due to overuse. I also went to physical therapy and got some stretches to do. These appointments didn’t really do much–basically the conclusion was rest will help and to not overdo it, both things I was aware of on my own.
I did a practice hike, or more like walk, with a full pack and I felt pretty good. The downhills still hurt my left knee a bit, but nothing as terrible as it was. The uphills and flats feel fine on my knee, which is also a huge improvement. When I start back up, I’m definitely going to listen to my body better and stop if my knee starts acting up again. But I have a big sturdy brace that will also hopefully help.
Also, GOOD NEWS! The boys have been hiking the Long Trail this whole time I’ve been sitting on my butt, which means they aren’t two weeks ahead of me like Shuffle is. I’m going to pick up exactly where I left off (I considered skipping a section, but that would drive me crazy and I don’t know when I’d be able to come back to do it). Totally without planning it we are going to be right around the same place at the same time. They are going to be hiking their last section of the long trail where it coincides with the AT right around the same time I’ll get to that intersection. As much as I like to call them annoying, I must admit I miss them and will be so happy to see them again! They are apparently suffering some shin splits so we will all be cripples together. And band together to catch up to Shuffle who must be almost through MA by now.
Highlights of my time off the trail include, but are not limited to: going on a chocolate factory tour, accidentally third wheeling a first date between my brother and a girl, reading a book (!! this was a luxury I’ve missed), getting to witness the social media aftermath of Miley Cyrus’ colorful performance, almost getting a babysitting job in Burlington, seeing friends I hadn’t seen in months, finishing my friends’ leftovers and making the waitress react with “Wow, I’ve never seen anyone finish the entire French Toast before,” being home to celebrate my dad’s birthday with him, eating Chipotle AND Five Guys as one meal.