It was tough staying off my feet today for a zero. I longed to be on the trail. What's worse is that I am in such a spectacular place and I want to walk through it. This is the first time I've been to Yosemite National Park. And I feel trapped by my busted foot.
Arizona set off before dawn to hike the 20+ miles down the JMT to Yosemite Valley while I rested. But how can I rest if I'm not tired?!?! So I rode the free shuttle bus around for a few hours, out to Olmsted Point for a view of Half Dome, then the other way up to Tioga Pass, then to the visitors center (where I looked up a few wildflowers), then back out to Olmsted Point again.
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| Riding the bus around Tuolumne Meadows. |
I wanted to be moving, to be seeing the rocks and mountains. It turned out being in motion wasn't enough- I wanted to be hiking. I longed to haul my pack up and down mountain, to feel my heart pound, to hear the buzz of mosquitoes and the growling of my stomach. I did my best to relax and be content soaking in the views and finding people to talk to.
At the store, I hung out with Tortuga, Liverpool, and a few other PCT hikers. We ate burgers and snacks, and watched the tourists. We laughed about how we all were sitting around wearing our puffy down jackets while the dayhikers are in tee shirts and shorts. I still don't quite understand that. One hiker recognized me from my blog which was so cool and cheered me up considerably.
Arizona got back this evening and came up with a great plan for tomorrow. We will go to Steph's house for a few more days rest for my foot. Yay!!! The nice campground hosts will give us a ride to Yosemite Valley (thanks Rob and Donna!!!) where we will get a bus to Mariposa, and then meet Steph. Getting off the trail is mentally hard since I feel the pull to keep moving north, but I can't imagine a more ideal situation to rest my foot and get healed- a house to go to and wonderful people around! WOW! I really believe it will work out, like everything else out here has so far.
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| View of Half Dome in the distance. |
Arizona got back this evening and came up with a great plan for tomorrow. We will go to Steph's house for a few more days rest for my foot. Yay!!! The nice campground hosts will give us a ride to Yosemite Valley (thanks Rob and Donna!!!) where we will get a bus to Mariposa, and then meet Steph. Getting off the trail is mentally hard since I feel the pull to keep moving north, but I can't imagine a more ideal situation to rest my foot and get healed- a house to go to and wonderful people around! WOW! I really believe it will work out, like everything else out here has so far.
so sorry about your foot, joan. i hope a little rest will help your foot feel better quickly!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! resting now, going to the doctor's tomorrow.
DeleteWhat a great partner you've found in Arizona. Once again your wisdom will pay off as difficult as it is to be patient.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the clothing difference is because thrus have lost all their fat and day hikers still have plenty to burn. LOL
That's so true!!! Thanks, Jan!!!! :)
DeleteRest heal and trust in yourself. That's worked so far .
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve!
DeleteBetter to be able to finish the PCT than to have to get off in a 100 miles because your foot is worse! Take care and enjoy the rest days.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Misti. Yep, the physical therapist says my foot actually did get worse from hiking on it all those extra miles. Good thing I got off trail when I finally did.
DeleteGlad you'll have a great place to rest up your foot. I know you're itching to be on the trail but the time off will do you good.
ReplyDeleteThis sure was a beautiful place to rest. Will definitely have to get back when I can walk around more too.
DeletePhew! Just spent a rainy Sunday morning reading your entries! So I'm all caught up now and it looks like you're taking a few days off...which is probably a really good idea. As another commenter noted, better to rest now for a bit than being forced off indefinitely later on. Of course, this means your readers will be without your adventures and NOW what am I to do?! Rest up! Hope you're back soon!
ReplyDeleteAww thanks, Tara! :) Absolutely right about resting being a good idea. Sure hope to be back out there soon too...
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