Days 126 – 134
~ Zero Days ~
Miles Hiked: 0
Miles on AT: 1452.0
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Today was the start of my recovery period. I needed to rest as much as possible to be able to get back on trail and finish what I had set out to do. I took my time getting ready in the morning, in no rush because I knew I had a couple of long train rides ahead of me.
Leaving Pawling and the trail didn’t feel like defeat, it was only a temporary setback. As I boarded the train for Grand Central Station in NYC, I felt like one of the masses again. I had been a hiker on trail, conquering a mountain (or several) of a journey, but when I was in NYC, I was just another person dressed a little eccentrically. Nothing special in the Big Apple. It was a bit humbling to say the least.
I arrived at Grand Central just around lunch time, so I walked to one of my favorite places to eat when I visit NYC: Luke’s Lobster. The Maine-inspired lobster and crab rolls are so delicious, I had to get one since I was there.
After lunch, I boarded the next train to NJ and arrived at my aunt’s house a little while later. It was so good to be there surrounded by family. For the next week, all I did was eat, sleep, and hang out with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma. I was transported back to when I was a kid and would spend a week or two visiting during the summer. Now, of course, things were a little different because everyone was working, but we still made time for brunch and dinners.
To try and pin down the cause of my nerve pain, I got some blood work done and even went to the chiropractor. My blood work showed normal vitamin levels and, since the issue was likely systemic, the chiropractor couldn’t offer me a solution (although my lower back pain felt much better after that session.)
Still, I continued to take my vitamins, rest, and eat good food. As the days went by, the nerve pain lessened. Instead of a sharp needle prick, different areas of my body would itch. I hoped that as I got back on trail, my symptoms would continue to improve.
I got my resupply done the evening before I wanted to leave for the trail, but suddenly my sinus was stuffed. Oh noooo. My aunt had gotten sick a few days prior and I probably caught whatever she had. I took quick action with a neti pot, but had to postpone my departure by another day.
Being ‘injured’ or ‘sick’ in such an invisible and mysterious way was very frustrating. I wanted to be on trail, but I couldn’t be. But, what was invaluable about the time I had to stay off the trail was the time spent with family. I’m so blessed to have a family that cares for me and is more than willing to take me in without notice. I spent days hanging out with my grandma, helping her in her garden, and listening to her stories. I spent quality time with my aunt, who happened to have time off from work. I got to reconnect in a way that I didn’t expect. Family is important and I’m grateful for mine.
Tomorrow, I would hop back on the train to Pawling and see if rest and quality time with family were enough to heal me.
And that’s days 126 – 134.
A version of this post originally appeared on TheTrek.co.