July 27, 1999 - Kent, CT
Hello,
Greetings from Kent Conn.
AT miles to Kent 1444.4
total trail miles 2160.7
state # 10
total # of states 14
Last days off - Delaware Water Gap mileage 1270
Whats in this report
Lyme Disease
Hot
Getting Close to the End
7-8 weeks maybe
100 mile wilderness
Getting Back Home
Lyme Disease
I got my first vaccine shot in Harpers Ferry WV. The second of
the three shots was due this week.
I was feeling poorly in Pine Grove Pa. I had alternating fever
and chills, but after holing up in a motel for two days I felt better
and went out on the trail again.
By Delaware Water Gap I had recurring headaches and a slight
fever and splotches which seemed to be growing bigger on my upper legs.
The Doctor said it was stage two of the Lyme disease and gave me a 30
day prescription of anti-biotics (sp?). After a couple of days almost
all of the symptoms had gone away.
Today I tried to get my second shot of the vaccine, but the nurse
at the local doctor called the company and they said that I shouldn't
get the shot until the full 30 days of anti-biotics had been taken.
The Heat
The heat has been giving me a lot of problems, especially when
combined with high humidity. The sweat collects in the small of my back
and runs down onto my hiking shorts soaking them completely on the
worst days.
I am combating the heat by:
trying to start earlier.
taking more frequent breaks
stopping at road crossing and getting a soda or food.
It is hard to sleep at night, since the night time temperatures
are in the high 60's and low 70's. You start out the evening by laying
on your thermalrest with the rain fly off, and by the early morning
hours you have to cover up quilt style with the sleeping bag.
They keep saying that relief is always the next day, but it never
seems to last more than a day or so and then the heat comes back.
The Rocks
People have talked about the rocks of Pennsylvania for most of the
trail. The last 3 days of Pennsylvania were the worst. The rocks seemed
continuous, and there seemed to be know flat spots to put your boots
down on.
Getting Close to the End
Maine is only about 716 miles away. That is about 7-9 weeks of
hiking. It includes the 100 mile wilderness which only has a minimum
chance of resupply at the half way point. The resupply comes about when
you pay someone $50 to deliver some supplies 50 miles up the trail. It
helps if you can get 5 people or so to share the expense.
The miles break down
Conn- Mass 140 miles
Vermont - NH 307 miles
Maine 281 miles
Getting back home.
I have been thinking about this for about a month. the three
possibilities are:
Use the plane ticket I have. There would be some sort
of rescheduling charge since the chosen date was
about 15 oct
Renting a car and driving back to Seattle. This would
allow me to see my mother in law, my mother, my family
and friends in Colorado.
taking the bus through the above named cities and
relatives.
Well, Time is running out here in the public library in Kent Conn. I hope
that this message finds all of you in good health and spirits. I am sorry
that I couldn't reply to all of the messages that I have been receiving.
So long for now.
"Mike on the AT"
"No Rain No Pain No Maine"