A Place Called Convalescence

It’s not on trail or in town, it’s a place called convalescence, and it’s a strange and somewhat difficult place to be. It’s that place you have to go when you get injured or sick, and you’re required to stay indefinitely in order to heal.

I’ve been visiting this place for five days now. It’s a strange place to be, because I’m not hiking, but I’m also not doing typical town things like resupply, laundry, or looking at what’s ahead. It requires hanging out in one place and watching as the people I’ve been hiking with for weeks carry on without me.

I’m finding it difficult to sit and do nothing. It just feels wrong after moving pretty much nonstop for the past month. I find myself itching to be back on trail or at least doing something trail related. I miss my hiking friends, and I feel a little disconnected and alone.

However, I also know this visit to convalescence is a good thing. It’s absolutely necessary in order to heal, and I’m so grateful to have friends and trail angels willing to help me out. It’s a good reminder that stillness isn’t a bad thing and that a thru-hike is made up of many different experiences, not just the ones we think.

I look forward to getting back on trail, but for now I’ll do my best to be still and enjoy this unexpected time off.