July 15 – Starting from Blackrock Hut

The guys called fairly early again today. It seems that they are still going over stuff in their heads . . . for instance, it sure would be better if we had a ________ or a _________. Their requests have been very practical, like ointment for their feet or a replacement for their water pump which broke on the first day out. (Luckily Julie was home and she could go to the store with me to pick out the appropriate water pump!)

I asked Ben about his feet. He thought that the reason he was getting blisters was that his boots were the wrong size. O.K., before you start thinking stuff like, “Really,” “No Kidding” or “Dah” listen to the rest of the story. Ben and I purchased his boots in the spring. The sales person suggested that Ben purchase boots that were a size larger so that his feet would be more comfortable. This is a common train of thought. It is especially easy to accept this suggestion when the boots are new, snug fitting and you are standing still in a shoe store. The reality is that boots that are a size larger are not only longer, but they are wider too. To help Ben, Julie and I took it upon ourselves to go out and purchase new boots for Ben and put them in a care package to arrive at LuRay, their first overnight stop in a hotel. Hopefully the new boots will fit and his foot problems will start getting better.

13.2 miles today – 33.2 miles completed