Last night I finished the 14 day supply of antibiotics. This morning I started on a brand new antibiotic for another 5 days as an extra measure of medicine to fight any potential reoccurrence of infection in the foot.
Ashley and I ran a couple errands for me this morning. I decided to fill another prescription for antibiotics for another 14 day supply to carry in my backpack....just in case. I also picked up some first aid supplies to treat my foot going forward on the trail. Then I visited the hardware store next to the pharmacy to purchase some silicone to treat my tarp tent's seams for the anticipated rainy season in Washington this fall.
After we retrieved the hybrid Honda and made it back to the homestead, Ashley took a late morning nap and I began my quest to update my days in Portland in journals on the website. Somehow I managed to write about 8 days of journals to get caught up. Before I leave Portland and return to the prehistoric era of hand writing the journals I want to be current in the journaling department, no matter how painful it is sometimes to keep going.
After lunch Ashley and I both worked outdoors in a warm but pleasant afternoon breeze. I cut up some deck wood for the garbage bin and bundled some firewood for the Government Camp condo. Then I worked on the outside deck, clearing out some rotted wood and staining as a precursor to using some wood filler on the deck. Eric certainly never has time to get those things done around the house with his crazy travel schedule all over the world.
The foot felt good in the shoe and I can walk with a normal gait. I haven't tried any distance walking yet and may walk a couple miles tomorrow just to give it a try before actually flying out of town.
This evening Ashley cooked up an African dish that she had planned to take to a Thursday evening church event...but Eric rearranged his schedule to fly back in Thursday evening so she needs to pick him up at the airport...so I was the benefactor of the meal instead of folks at church.
We made a late run to Home Depot to get more materials so I can continue helping around the house tomorrow on projects. I will also be packing up to prepare for the extra early morning flight to Reno on Thursday (can you say 6:15 am flight? Ouch).
The final evening activity (before the typing of this journal entry) was another visit to the dog park where Lucy and Maggie worked out to get their exercise for the day.
Doodlebug and I talked again today, she plans to pick me up Thursday morning at the Reno airport and will get me back to the trail. That will be a tremendous help because the bus system takes almost 24 hours to get to a place that by car should only take 3 hours. Plus I can pick up fuel and a lighter and other last minute items for the pack while in Reno.
Soon I will be back to the trail! It feels like I'm starting all over again, which in essence, I am. I have no idea what to expect in terms of who I will see and be hiking with, if anyone at all. And the real unknown is how well the foot and my legs will react to the sudden return to significant exercise. Time will tell!
