Weakness leads to goodness

Day 79, Mile 1197.6---Today was so-so at best until the end. It was my right shoe mainly that lent to the so-so-ness. In the store when i tried them on they were the best shoes i have tried on so far on the trail. But yesterday the pain started, and i just hoped it would go away. The shoe rubs under my ankle on the outside protrudence on what feels like a nerve or something. Every step that wasn't just right felt like i was walking on a broken ankle. I took 2 IB's at noon and it helped til about 3ish and then the pain was back. Every time a plane went over i wished i was on it, a boat on the reservoir i wished i was on it, anywhere but on the trail with this busted ankle feeling. So by the end of the day i had decided that a) i needed to alter/fix my right shoe, b) i needed new AAA batteries, c) i needed a cold drink, d) i needed to find out about the fire closures, and this all means i needed to get into town. I got into Sierra City around 6:30ish. There were already a bunch of hikers sitting in front of the general store. All of them i already knew except one. I got most of the stuff i needed and decided to spend the night at a local campground with Chuck Norris and Tigger and the rest of the hikers. I enjoyed 3 bologna and cheese on a bagel sandwiches, a peach, and two Full Sail pale ales for dinner. Later we all decided to go down to the local bar for a while. Aaaand we just got kicked out of the bar 20 minutes ago, because a 19 year old hiker decided to tell the bar owner that he was actually 19. Great evening though for a mediocre day. Now everyone is sitting around and talking trail talk - timing, finish dates, fire business etc. Looks as if i will have to leave mid-day tomorrow otherwise i will get to Quincy too early and the bus to Chester only runs on weekdays. That's confusing i realize, I'll explain more tomorrow. Thought of the day; physical pain is temporary, otherwise we wouldn't need a word for it. Song of the day; Candy Girl by Michael Jackson, Do Re Mi by Harry Connick Jr. Craving of the day; a large cold drink, a nice chair, and good stimulating conversation.

JWC on the PCT