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Last month, I was in Louisville, KY going out for a lunch with Ashley N. and Nanette B. at niffy restaurant named Lynn’s Paradise Cafe. They had a goofy stuff in their store. At that time, I wasn’t feeling well, so I found this perfect hologram sunglasses which said it all what I went through with ugly disease – giradiasis! Nanette B. took this picture. 🙂
26-June
Hello folks! I am totally much better now….completed the round of antibiotics for my giardiasis. I am renewed hiker here at Wood’s Hole Hostel in Pearisburg. Let me back up a bit with the story. Last Friday (18-June) I rented the car to drive from Louisville, Kentucky to Tri-Cities, Bloutville, Tennessee. Then, Skip from AT Shuttle in Atkins, VA picked me up and drove me to Marion, Virginia to get back to Cane. It was well-worth it without having to ride on Greyhound bus ever again. Next day, Cane and I hiked from Mount Rogers HQ in Marion, VA to Atkins, VA. However, I felt terrible and knew that it was not just regular IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) because I continued to suffer awful symptoms for two weeks. Despite my “Rip Van Winkle” sleeping marathon in Louisville, KY, I still felt the same way as I was feeling on the first day two weeks ago while hiking. Something was not right with me, so I decided to check in at the hospital. As you knew, I found out that I had giardiasis. Just pray that you will never catch it ever. Trust me. We decided to stay one more day in Marion, VA on Sunday 20-June to allow me to get some prescription and more sleep/rest. Next day, we had a late start to hike from Atkins, VA. We hiked to Bland, VA which we arrived on Wednesday night, just in time before the special day. I got my favorite dessert, peanut buster parfait, from Dairy Queen which was close to the motel and ate it in the bathtub on that night. 😎 Next day was my birthday (24-June). It was zero day for us. It was nice to have Golden Ray (Kevin B.) to hang out with us. On 25-June, we hit the trail hiking toward Pearisburg. Upon arriving, the Jenny Knob shelter, we found out that both water sources are all dried up. Not good for us since we were out of water. There was Dad with two kids – son (Blaze) and daughter (Pyro) at the shelter. They had some water left, but barely! Cane and I debated….Cane brought up an idea of calling Wood’s Hole Hostel and asking them to pick us up from the road which was only 1.2 miles down from the shelter. I agreed. We got the ride, so we hiked left at around 18:45 (6:45 pm) to meet our driver. After only 0.3 miles down from the shelter into the rocky area of trail, I got a huge surprise of my lifetime…. got stung by a bee – right straight on my left rib area on my side. OUCHHHHH!!!! As I was going to step down from the rock ledge with my poles, the bee somehow went straight to my left rib to sting me. At first, I thought something was wrong with my backpack stabbing me on my left side…as I was reaching to touch my left side with my right hand, all of the sudden, I saw the bee flew across my face. I screamed bloody and ran like lightning! I couldn’t warn Cane as he cannot hear and see me. I stood and watched helplessly as Cane came to where bee attacked me. The bee did stung him 3 times. We continued hike to the road and waited for our ride. We are ok….no allergic reaction to bee stung. Thanks goodness. We had a wonderful dinner at Wood’s Hole Hostel – rice pizza and salad for me and wheat pizza and salad for Cane. We ended up staying at Wood’s Hole Hostel for 4 nights….so serene and tranquil place to be. We both had a fantastic massage from Neville, one of owners of Wood’s Hole Hostel. It was hard to leave the place, but our journey on AT must go on.
This past Monday morning, I arrived in Louisville, Kentucky via bus from Marion, Virginia to spend some time recuperating at my dear’s friend place. Before that, I was ill for a few days that I didn’t enjoy hiking and difficult to continue SSPing for Cane. I told Cane that it was time for me to take a break for myself since I was drained mentally, physically and emotionally. Over two months on AT without a good chat/hug from my family/friends took a toll on me as well. He supported and allowed me to take my time somewhere. An opportunity arose in Louisville, Kentucky – a all-day spa with my dear friends – so, I went for it. Cane remains in Marion, VA this week. I start to feel better slowly after showering of hugs and chatting with my friends. My willpower and desire are still there – burning….and my physical, mental and emotion state are slowly replenishing with positive and good flow of energy. I hope to return to the trail in a few days.
AT DeafBlind Dream 