I am devastated 😩, but at peace with my decision to take a week or two off trail to give my knee time to recover. What a beautiful day! 😍 I will return to the trail and for sure will be attending Trail Days in Damascus! 🥾
Oh so good to see your post. I was concerned…I dont even know you, and yet I was concerned.🤭😂🙃 You can make a decision for now, and regroup after some relief. Divide and conquer. Whatever you choose to do, you have people rooting for you….🥰🥾🥾⛺️🥾🥾
Take care of you, Julia… Rest heal recover… You are the first video that I look for. It’s crazy how I feel like I know you, but I don’t. Thank you for your honesty and making it real… safe travels, my friend🙏
I admire your honesty and bravery. I am impressed with all you have accomplished to this point. Here is hoping that you will get the rest and recovery that you need, and that the Trail's guardian angels take you forward on whatever journey you are intended to make. It has been a real treat to be carried along with you this far and I hope to see more of your spirit and strength in days to come, in whatever way will bring flourishing. Good job so far.
Julia, you are an inspiration for so many! You do you! I know you will be back & I’ll be here when you’re ready! I remember so well when I got off in 2022 & it hurts! You can do this! I’ll be back on next year starting in Hot Springs and heading north! Like me this is in your blood! You have taught me so much & I’m definitely looking forward to your videos on what you learned! My wife hiked with me all of Georgia & when she got off the next 200 miles were definitely harder for me mentally! I’m not a quitter & neither are you! Very proud of you! Heal up! God Bless You! Whiskers
Praying for healing for your knee. I think that’s the smart thing to do and it inspires me that you still plan on completing the trail. Looking forward to following you on future vidoes about what you’ve learned.
Good morning. I've been thinking of you. I had a thought...can you listen to audio books while you hike? It sounds wise to take care of your knee. That is nothing to ignore. Please do keep us informed as to your plans. I think you are amazing and an inspiration.
I’ve been off from hiking for 5 weeks with my knee injury. If kills me yo not hike but you are doing the right thing. Hope u make the decision that’s best for you. If you flip forward because you still want to thru hike I’d suggest going further north maybe PA or even NJ. Sending healing thoughts
Also you and a few other RU-vidrs I’m following, have inspired me to plan a backpacking trip this fall. I live in Central Florida , so there aren’t many people who are interested in hiking. Definitely not 60 + women!
Been thinking of you, generally the videos are out early morning and nothing yesterday so as a follower one begins to worry. Watching leaves us feeling devastated with you but your health and well being is important! Take care of you! Looking forward to the next and I have so many questions!
Give that knee a much needed rest, having a "bionic" left knee trust me it's important to let it heal! We'll be here when you return to the trail. That must have been some kind of super chicken to survive out in the woods on it's own.
You are awesome and authentic. It is ok to quit if ur no longer having enough fun. Yes it is supposed to be a challenge but you should be having at least some fun or at least peace and serenity of the woods to keep going. I have acco.plished much in the world of backpacking. Solo backpacking is a whole different beast. I love it typically but I also love supportive helpful friends to bounce ideas off of and share the happiness and the suffering with. Cause let's be clear. There is suffering. It's only worth it if it feeds your soul somehow. Healthy suffering feeds me. If helps me hit the wall and then just "be." That spot is not filled with loneliness. It is filled with serenity and peace. And,well, maybe a little loneliness. There have certainly been times in my life, like when I needed a hip replacement, that suffering was not really worth it and I could only push myself so far and then have to accept who I was then. I got a new lease on life with my new hip. But love has always defined exploring and adventure. You get to decide whether 2 months plus is enough solo hiking. That is enough and way too much for many. Just FYI, I've done solo backpacking off trail in the Grand Canyon. Led backpacks internationally on tough overgrown trails, solo hiked in areas I couldn't tell where the trail was but by the feel of the ground under my feet and loved the challenge of not using GPS on those circumstances. I've also had my hip "catch" so long and hard that people asked me of I wanted a ride on a golf cart on the golf course. I couldn't "pass." I had to accept who and what i was then and call time out and get help. It is ok to be who u are right now and decide to move on or stay longer. I rode that ride til the end. You do not need to be extreme. You do not even need to be moderate or easy. Whatever fills a need and a purpose for you. The trail may have already done that. For now. Or not. You get to decide. I and others will admire you and your struggle know matter what. Sometimes the trail teaches us and takes us to places that tell us this is it. It has served its purpose. I know one trail taught me that I don't want nor need to be pushed that far again if I can help it. Maybe you are there. Maybe you are not. I honor your journey. Slackpacking is still a trail experience. I am old enough to enjoy that also. Peace and well wishes...
I think you might feel better emotionally if 15:02 you had a hiking buddy. Sorry to hear about your knee...I know it must be so hard to leave, even though you must. I hope it's nothing serious and you can return soon...and I'll have my daily videos to watch again. Take care!!!
Platinum Blazing is staying at hostels, hotels, airbnbs along the trail and getting shuttled out to trail and back in almost every night. Can get pricey for sure, but your time camping on trail is limited. Hot showers, good food and a warm bed each night.
