Last night was cold! So cold, we woke this morning to frost on the inside of the tent. We went to bed at about 7:00 pm because there was no other way to stay warm. Needless to say, we didn’t sleep much, so was a long night!
I have an elaborate system worked out for my nightly nature calls. There is nothing worse than having to get up in 20 degree weather and go outside the tent with possible bears lurking in the woods. So, as many of you know, I did what any creative women would do and I found a way of staying in the tent! Without giving too much detail, I will just say there are devices on the market for such a situation. Using a large Gatorade bottle and this device I do not have to confront any bears in the woods! By midnight I had a full bottle and for some reason my blood sugar started to drop! I was feeling shaky and nauseous. Leap saved me! He went out into the frigid cold and got a granola bar from the bear bag and emptied my bottle. I would make it until the morning! Now that is love!
We woke early and waited in the tent for the sun to warm things up. My knees swelled again in the night and I had trouble just standing. It was obvious I wasn’t going to be able to continue too far today and I was feeling as if our entire journey was now in doubt. We debated going forward 10 miles on relatively flat terrain or going back about 5 miles up and down some serious climbs. We decided to go back.
As we hiked back we couldn’t get over how beautiful the woods were! Ice and snow covered the trees and made for a winter wonderland. The wind was still fierce and we were glad we decided to go back.
The hike back was emotionally and physically draining as every step was painful and the decisions to be made regarding our trip were looming. It is hard to hike and cry but I found a way. Every person we passed going in the opposite direction had questions about why we were walking south. It was hard to admit defeat but everyone was encouraging and understood the heavy weight of giving up on a dream.
We had plenty of time to talk on the way back due to my turtle pace. We explored every option and made at least a temporary decision to get off the mountain and wait for the weather to warm up. It was dangerously cold last night and we did not want to get in that position again. So we decided to call Doug from Alpine Taxi Service (again) and go make to the hotel to regroup (again). We got to the hotel and was given the same room. It felt like home. We cranked the heat up to 80 degrees and then fell asleep!
We awoke rested and feeling a little better. Called Enterprise and rented a car to go to Savannah and wait put this cold weather while we visit with the
kids. Better than staying in Helen for another week! Leap decided he wants to continue on. At this time, our plan is to stay in Savannah a week, let the weather warm up and then get Leap back on the trail. I will go home, see the orthopedist and then resume with Leap when possible. Happy Easter and happy trails!
