Week 3 - 2022
WEEK THREE of HOBOS GOING SOBO IN THEIR OBOZ, the journey "in-tents"ifies ...
Boonesboro, MD to Front Royal, VA - 64 miles, average 9 miles a day. Total miles so far = 170
WHAT WE LEARNED THIS WEEK ON THE TRAIL:
It must be a guy thing. I kept telling FROG how bad his leg looked, showed him pictures and all, wouldn’t agree to go to the doctor. Things changed when we were in the outfitter sports store and several men looked at it — “Man, you really need to see a doc, that’s real bad man!” It was only then that he agreed to go. I guess whatever it takes but why didn’t he believe ME?! Ends up he had a fungal infection and got cream and steroids for it. It’s looking so much better!
FROG found out at the doctors office that he has only lost two pounds after 2 weeks. Compared to last year, he had lost close to 10 pounds by now. Hah! Welcome to my world!!
We’re fast!!! Took us only two days to hike through West Virginia! Do I have to tell you it was only 17 miles?!
Speaking of fast - there are many, I’d say mostly the younger crowd, that set out to do the “four-state challenge”. This requires you to hike from the northern border of VA, into WV, MD, and end at PA border, 44 miles within 24 hours. Nope! Not happening here! You saw all those rocks that Maryland and West Virginia have. I plan to finish this hike with no broken bones, thank you.
Now, the “Half Gallon Challenge” that’s all together different - at the halfway point eating a half gallon of ice cream in half an hour. Much more appealing to me to get sick rather than to have broken bones!
Ok, so I have a bruise. I fell twice last year and never had a bruise to show for it. This year, I have one. It’s nothing like FROGs battle scar but I have one nonetheless. Check out the picture.
“Siri” to the rescue! My cell phone screen went completely black and we couldn’t get it to do anything. We asked another hiker if she could help, she looked it over and simply said, “Siri, could you lighten the screen.” Wala! No more black screen. Who knew that’s all you had to do?! I sure didn’t know - how humbling!
We’re in Virginia! Just a tidbit of info on this part of Virginia, there are very few footbridges over streams (I’ve only counted 2 footbridges so far, pictures included since it’s so noteworthy) so If you have to cross water you have to do so hopping from rock to rock hoping not to fall in. There have been MANY to cross and it hasn’t been easy but so far we’ve managed to maneuver and not get wet. Hopefully we won’t be reporting back on that issue changing!
Our first SOBO hiker! We met Melissa just outside Harpers Ferry, WV and were thrilled that we had another person we kept running into that was going our direction, for at least a few days anyway. It was our second day in where we really got to know her when we camped at Bear’s Den campground and sat at the picnic table and shared stories about our lives together. We felt comfortable and she was so easy to talk to; we feel so blessed to have had that time with her. We only saw her one other time after that. We wish her and her husband God’s very best as they start new adventures and journey through life together.
Longest roller coaster ride ever!! 14 miles of ups and downs, twists and turns, bumps and rocks! Lots of rocks! Took us two days to finish that wild ride!! By the time we were through our shoulder harnesses (backpacks) were drenched with sweat. It was a tough ride but we survived the coaster ride by Trail Boss and volunteers! Where do we get our shirt?
Denise! Our soul sister, trail angel. You know how sometimes you meet that person that you instantly bond with and it’s if you’ve been friends forever - Denise was that for us. We met her on the trail (on our roller coaster ride), and during those two miles together it was non-stop conversation about our personal lives sharing our love of God together. Her encouragement and inspiration at a rough part of our hike was a Godsend! She gave us water and drove us to a hostel for the night. Our new friend for all eternity!
We shouldn’t compare. We’ve made the mistake of comparing this section hike with last year’s section hike and have become disappointed. Not by the people but by the lack of views and all the rocks! There hasn’t been many views and you’ve seen all the rocks! You climb and climb and it’s been PUDs (pointless ups and downs)!!! It’s just become a walk in the woods and we seem to have lost our sense of adventure and have quickly become upset with each other more often over silly things. We are off trail for a few days to regroup in town before we continue. We needed an attitude adjustment! Today, was just that. We attended church and just being surrounded by other believers and hearing a wonderful message was what we needed. After church, we were taken out to lunch by the sweetest couple, Micki and Chris. It was an awesome time of sharing!
We are ready … Bring on WEEK FOUR!! We are ready to hit the trail once again!!