Reflecting back on everything that went wrong during the beginning of our AT trek back in April 2015, I am particularly amazed that it ended up turning out as well as it did, one step at a time, through October 2015. Our first day was cold and foggy and wet, AND, I realized I really had caught my nephew's bronchitis; Sojo chewed through her 1st leash; and at supper my 10-year old stove turned into a fireball. Through the first 2 weeks I had to use cough medicine - and an asthma inhaler for the first time in many years - to help my lungs clear the bronchitis which made the ascents extra difficult. A few days in, I also chipped a front tooth, and my tongue became obsessed with failed efforts at smoothing the new rough texture. By a few weeks in, the soles of my feet felt so bruised I took an unplanned rest for some 5 days so I could walk rather than hobble. While Sojo loved the hiking and adapted to the camping, she was still highly anxious and very reactive during that time period whenever we encountered people or dogs. I am now so grateful that we were able to keep plodding along until we hit our stride, and so grateful too for early visits from both Melanie and my parents that kept our spirits up. So many amazing sights and experiences lay ahead.
Cath Hopkins on
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