The Saufleys

Yesterday was only a 14 mile hike to a road that led to a KOA. I wasn't planning on staying there for the night but once I heard they had warm showers and and a pool there was no chance of hiking any further. That and the fact that the poison oak on my foot was so aggravated I couldn't imagine having it in my shoe any longer.

I ordered Chinese from a place 8 miles away that delivered right to the KOA and managed to camp for free in grass....grass....something the desert does not usually have!!

This morning I woke up and bandaged my foot up to hike the 11 miles to the Saufleys, which is the name of the couple who run a hostel out of their house, trailers, and back yard. I made it about a mile before my foot with the Poison oak on it was completely on fire. My foot was too swollen and blistered for me to have it contained in a shoe...so I took it off and hiked another 4 or so miles without a shoe on at all. The little prickly things of the desert started to dig themselves into the bottom of my foot and I managed to take my tyvek sheet and make a sole which I wrapped around my foot with the ace bandage I had around my leg for the fracture. I hiked the remaining 6 miles to the Saufleys wearing my Tyvek shoe.

Once I got here I was able to shower, do laundry, and go to the store for some cream for the oak. I've just been relaxing here all afternoon and plan on continuing to do just that all day tomorrow. There is no way I can put my foot in a shoe and walk 20 miles anytime in the next few days. The stress fracture seems to be starting it's slow healing process which makes me happy. I now just have to make it through this oak situation....and the poodle dog bush on my leg (which showed up the night before last but is much less severe).

I got oranges, apples, and a pineapple from the store today which is all I've been craving while hiking here in the desert. I'm getting in all the fresh foods as I can before I head back to the trail and packaged noodles.

I'm anxious to hike but I know my foot needs time. Somehow a stress fracture didn't prevent me from hiking but this silly poison oak has managed to be able to. It's just the location of the outbreak that is really causing the inconvenience.

I'm just going to kick back and let my body fight for a few days....then back to the trail!!