Flip flop

When we started this adventure we agreed that we would try to identify and not push past the point of doing any permanent physical damage that we would regret down the road. The damage done on the hike through the Smokies did not resolve itself with a short break from the trail. We managed 7.5 miles uphill yesterday along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but that was all that was possible, so plans are suddenly changing more significantly. 

We are in Asheville today and planning to return to Raleigh so Debra can get her knee checked out and allow her feet to heal. She has always had trouble with her pinkie toes and actually had surgery to correct them several years ago in order to allow her to take on a long distance hike such as this. To date we thought that had been totally successful; however, and as noted previously, effort on this level exposes every flaw. 

If we can get those issues resolved, we hope to jump ahead on the “trail” and begin the paddle down the Neuse River, with hopes that it provides time to recover that will allow us to return to hiking in better shape to continue.