River To River Trail- Failed Thru Hike -The Good, Bad and Ugly.- Day 4

Conclusion- 

Having made it to the cabin and getting hydrated, I did feel a bit better, but I was still nauseated and my core temperature was not back down to where it should be. I decided that the best decision was to call the hike off here, where at least my location was around normal roads. I had contacted my friend John who had brought me down and he said he could come pick me up the next day in Eddyville at Shotgun Eddys. I had sent a resupply to Shotgun Eddys after talking to Tammy, who was just super nice, and I had planned to stay somewhere around Shotgun Eddys so I could have dinner that night and breakfast the following morning. I was only about 13 miles from Eddyville in my present location, so if I had too, I could get to Eddyville on my own, carrying water from here or there was likely water in Lusk Creek along the way. 

I did have another contact from the Facebook group, Matthew, who lived in the area and offered any help I might need, so I gave him a ring and he was kind enough to agree to come get me the next morning from the Cabin and drive me over to Eddyville. 

All logistics solved I tried to relax and come to grips with not being able to finish the trail. In the end it was no ones fault but my own for not following through on my own plan to postpone the hike if the temps were in a range I know from past experience are difficult for me. 

Even though I am recently retired and have all the time I need, I think I have not learned that I am not under some kind of time constraint to get things done even with the very limited window we have in the Midwest for a hiking season. (old habits die hard). The fact that I had a reservation at Giant City, did not help, when in actuality that would hardly impact the hike if I was one or two days later because of these conditions. All good lessons to be learned with my new reality of available time. 

But here we are, still not able to eat anything but sitting in the shade and trying to cool down, mad at myself but happy that I could make good decisions to get a safe outcome. 

- the mild heat stroke remained for a couple of days after returning home, as I was much less tolerant of the sun and heat, I avoided being outside for any length of time- a classic symptom.

Later I will pitch my tent (oh by the way, let's talk about this tent thing! 4 nights and not a single level pitch and at 63 having to be conscious of how to crawl in and out without hurting myself. 😆😆😆Why I didn't bring my hammock is another good question. With a base weight of 11 pounds a few additional ounces would have made no difference.) 

Anyway, this is a nice trail and in the Fall or early Spring would be a great walk again. 

I can not thank enough; Shannon, Matthew and John for their support and time. I am sorry that I needed to impose on you, but very glad you are the kind people you are. Thanks also to Glenn Lawrentz for providing some very good resource videos and information about the trail.

So, day 4 dawned, Matthew came and got me and dropped me off in Eddyville, John came and collected me and we drove back to St Louis.

BTW- No resolution for the Garmin watch issue, even after being home for a few days and sorting through all the online forums. 😂