I woke up a bunch of times last night; my tent is on a pretty slanted spot. But what probably kept me more restless was my thoughts wandering off to the condition of my left foot. I kept checking, during the night to find the pain was definitely still lingering. The shuttle back to Grumpy Bear would not leave till 0745 and so I got early to give my foot some extra care before heading over there for breakfast again. I got in the back of the truck with Alex and Johnny from the Canadian familiy and not before long was feasting on pancakes and eggs. Again. Upon getting in line at the counter, I realized I’d forgotten my wallet at the campground of the general store. This was fairly annoying because I wanted to send off a box with my old pack in it. Fortunately there was a great guy there, Gary, who without hesitation fronted me the money for breakfast. I finished my breakfast and as I gazed through the window, I noticed the shuttle getting ready to head out again. Apparently Alex also forgotten something and would be driven back and forth real fast: perfect timing for me! I jumped in and was back at grumpy bear within 20 minutes, now ready to get everything done. 
I send away a box of my redundant gear, including my old pack. This was a relief, because it meant less clutter, both physically as mentally. When I returned to he general store, guess who were smiling down on me from the patio? Yessss, Natalie (now officially dubbed Jukebox, because she sings along every song that comes on the radio) and Thadius had arrived!! We were so excited, big hugs all around.
We swapped stories and I learned that Jimny and his dad were still a couple miles back and might make it into the campground tonight. I took some time to soak my feet in cold water, rolled the sole of my foot around on a golfball, and I finally succumbed to taking painkillers. As up to this point I hadn’t taken any vitamin I (trail slang for Ibuprofen, which some thru-hikers pop like skittles), but it should help with the inflammation. Jukebox is an athletic trainer and she’s going to show me how to tape my foot to give the arch some extra support.
Thad and Jukebox had hike brief, but hot day and were ready to get some lunch; so back into the shuttle, to get burgers at the Grumpy Bear. Again.
As we were relaxing while having some great food, I just felt my mood improve throughout the day. Spending time with friends got my worried mind off my battered foot, which helped with relieving the stress. Apparently the 21st of June was national-hike-naked-day, which I was unaware of. Thad however took had taken advantage and it, went full monty on trail. Jukebox hiked ahead of him, not wanting to stare at his butt for the evening stretch. Thad told her that it was a privilege, “better views than the trail”. She told him she was good though. Cracked me up (pun intended).
We hung out in the restaurant and later on the terrace outside, where a country-playlist sounded through the speakers. Jukebox honored her new trail-name by singing along with every tune. I really felt like I was in the rural USA now. A parking lot filled with big trucks, surrounded by mountains in every direction, neon lights in the windows and country tunes playing while hanging out surrounded by hikers. Nothing like this back home. 
We got a ride back around 1900 to find another surprise waiting on the patio (you might have guessed…) ! Pops had arrived, yihaaa.
His father was camped a couple of miles back with another hiker they’d met, but Jimmy had wanted to pus on. Today’s been a day that started out worry-some and in pretty somber mood, but it fortunately it took a positive spin. Tomorrow I think that the others will take a rest day, and I will gladly use that time to give my foot some more TLC. Right now (around 2100) it is actually feeling better than it did before, so I will keep up the different ways of treating it. Tomorrow morning back to the Grumpy Bear to introduce the crew to the massive-pancake-breakfast.
Who knows where this road is supposed to lead
We got nothing but time,
As long as you’re right here next to me, everything’s gonna be alright
If it’s meant to be it’ll be, it’ll be
Baby, just let it be
If it’s meant to be, it’ll be, it’ll be
Baby, just let it be
So won’t you ride with me, ride with me?
See, where this thing goes.
If it’s meant to be, it’ll b, it’ll be
Baby if it’s meant to be
Maybe we do
Maybe we don’t
Maybe we will
Maybe we won’t
Meant to be – Florida Georgia Line ft. Bebe Rexa
