07-31-2018. Day 147. 0 miles. Breezy Acres Motel, Skowhegan, Maine. (703.5 + 140.1 = 843.6 + 8.8 = 852.4 Miles)

What Vertigo Feels Like

Jedmorgensen and I were walking back from dinner yesterday when he noticed this sign inside an abandoned building on Main Street. I immediately thought “this is vertigo”. The feeling of loss of orientation or at least the sensation of a loss of the ability to guide yourself to your intended destination.

I’ve had no floor since the 22nd of July and although I am much better off than I was there are still lingering side effects of the malady.

Matt: Paramedic with Skowhegan Fire

At Abby Walker’s D.C. office yesterday my pressure was better yet I still had this strange sensation in my head that continues even though I can now pretty much walk a straight line. As we walked to a spot to meet a taxi I stopped in the fire department and asked them to check my pressure. Matt was on duty and he gladly obliged. It was normal. Buster and I were happy with that. Oh…….. I’ve named my left great toenail Buster. It seems appropriate considering his size.

Matt and Defib: Blood Pressure Check.

Matt asked about my circumstances. I told him about my extrication from the trail. “Oh you’re the one Pete and Rescue extracted. I heard all about that”.

In my mind I finished what he was probably also thinking but did not say. “You’re the paramedic who had to tie up eight men for hours carrying you out because you were dizzy.”

I finished the thought for him and he graciously denied that concept ever entering his mind. The fact remained that Pete, EMT-P had done a heck of a job.

So the update for 31 July 2018. Partly dizzy with a 20% chance of staggering. Bobble head out of the Southeast at 12 MPH. Continued improvement with plan to place backpack on Wednesday just to measure progress. The soft grass of Breezy Acres Motel will be very close by.