Feb 4 -10

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. One fancies a heart like our own must be beating in every crystal and cell, and we feel like stopping to speak to the plants and animals as friendly fellow mountaineers. Nature as a poet, an enthusiastic workingman, becomes more and more visible the farther and higher we go; for the mountains are fountains - beginning places, however related to sources beyond mortal ken. - John Muir (My First Summer in the Sierra)

Well, this week for the ITBs went well, they felt better than they have since this ordeal started, so that is very good news. But, at the beginning of the week I stressed a joint/muscle in my right foot so I took a super easy week, and tested it out Sunday with a relaxed 18.8mi run on the AT with JPeake, on an absolutely beautiful day. It fared well until I must have stepped on a rock the wrong way and agitated it. So, I'll spend this week really trying to nurse it back to normal, and if anything take a real easy end of week and weekend to let it stay rested and un-agitated. Have some real exciting backpacking plans on the horizon awaiting healthy ITBs. I'm thick with anticipation, and feel a bit like a caged animal ready to run free.

Standing on White Rocks Cliff on the southside of Lamb's Knoll directly on the AT.

Descending the AT south towards Crampton's Gap, on trail lined with Mountain Laurel, and Beech trees yet to drop their leaves.

The infinite detail and lavishness of Nature, shown on a rock's surface.

View over South Mountain from White Rocks cliff.

View east towards Catoctin Mtn from atop the Washington Monument,