Or Peregrinatio Interrupta, for the more scholarly and pedantic.
I’ve been putting off writing this post because I’m in a funk.
After a long, mouse-filled night at Silverwood Lake, I packed up this morning, intent on having a good day and getting to Cajon Pass to meet my family for a resupply and much-needed set of hugs.
About a mile down the trail, the tendon in my left ankle, which had been hurting off and on, suddenly went, “Twang.”
It was not a good twang.
With swelling setting in at a rapid rate and a lot of pain upon stepping up and down, I decided prudence was the better part of valor and called in the cavalry.
So I’m currently at home. The doctor I saw is convinced it’s tissue damage; I’m not so sure it isn’t related to the tendon, but anti-inflammatories, ice, and rest are in my future for the next several days at least.
I am resting now in the hope—nay, the conviction—that this is just a “blip” (as my dad puts it) in my journey; I’m planning on resuming next week. This may mean moving up the trail a bit, to fill in this section later. It’s all up in the air and rather flexible at the moment. But I’m trusting that God has a plan in this (perhaps to help me avoid the sudden snowstorm that came dropping down on the mountains today), and that it’s part of the epic adventure of overcoming adversity to conquer.
Keep your eyes on this space. Thanks again for your continued support and encouragement, which are helping keep up my uneven spirits. You are all special and lovely.
Professor Errant 
Here’s to a speedy recovery and a quick return to the trail. I am thoroughly enjoying the adventure through your writings.
I’m glad to hear it. I, too, am hoping to be back up and around soon. The tricky bit is identifying whether I’m just feeling okay to walk around, or okay to walk 15+ miles a day with 35 pounds on my back…
Makes think of the old saying: If you want to make God laugh, tell Her your plans…
I think it’s always something of a balancing act for me, and probably always will be: setting out with the best planning and feelings I can muster, and trusting that God has a plan to make things work to the best. These two things do not always coincide, and when they don’t, it’s my job to sit back and see what He has in store.
Oy — sorry to hear about the setback. Of course you would be secretly disappointed with me if I didn’t correct the Latin in your header: *Peregrinus interruptus
I would be disappointed indeed; hence, the added subtitle. But I will still have to fall back on my dog Latin on the trail itself.
Well, actually, is it the pilgrimage that’s interrupted — peregrinatio interrupta (f.) — or the pilgrim who has been interrupted — peregrinus interruptus? In all, it was really a iter ab inurio improvisa ablatum. I think that’s a good hexameter, but I’m too lazy to scan it now. Is Paul Moore around? Plus I just got back from the dean’s party where they were serving up Irish whiskey. Good night! John +3.
Google Translate is telling me “iter ab inurio improvisa ablatum” means “unexpected journey taken by outrage.” While I love this deeply, I suspect that’s not quite what’s meant here.
First, I’m so sorry about the “interruption”!
Yes He does have a plan and you my boy are the main actor in this show!
I wish you the best and rapid recovery. I’ve so enjoyed your posts,
Now LOL re: your educated friend! All my life my father wanted me to study Latin. When I see you to bright fellows having fun with language, I think how he was so correct.
Get well, the trail will be there until our last sunset!
John is my most educated of friends, and the one I turn to for all my scholarly needs. His recommendations for reading about medieval pilgrimage were erudite and profound. And awesome.
Thanks for the well wishes; it seems to be working so far.
Funny, I just came in from Real Life Church (reallifechurch.org), which has started to have a Thursday evening service (in addition to their Saturday service and four Sunday services. The key verse for this evening’s sermon was Romans 12:12, which reads, :Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” The thrust of the message was to trust God in all things, even in your tribulations. Sounds like appropriate and good advice. Heal well.
Extremely appropriate. Thanks for sharing, Robert.
Always be kind to your ankles. They’re the only ones you’ve got. 🙂 rest up! The trail will still be there.
It will be there, but will I be able to walk its length before the snows fall in the far north? This is the question.
I will be very nice to my ankles. I’d been focused so much on my feet, and my ankles went along so uncomplainingly, that I was, perhaps, taking them for granted.
Firstly, apologies for seeing only your sons in your photos and restricting my comments on your offspring thusly – Lego thankfully clarifies so much! Secondly, Oh! Clever ankle, to enable second round goodbye hugs and home cooking for another week. Or so. Whatever it takes for you to be at your fittest and safest. Your delightful trail posts can wait and so can your readers.
Thank you for the kind words. I do admit that it was a real pleasure to see my family again; I had joked with my wife on the second night (when I was feeling low) that if I suffered an injury, it would allow me to come home. When I called her two days later, I had to mention that I hadn’t actually meant that to be prophetic…
We hope you get better soon Professor; everyone here at the Writers’ Block is praying and rooting for you to heal and get back on the trail.
Thank you, O Poets of the Valley. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated.
My heart breaks for you, as it sounds that you have had a very trying and disappointing beginning to this journey you have so courageously taken on. Keep the faith, my dear brother, as your Father loves you and knows what is best for you. We do not know what disasters and hardships He saves us from when He changes our plans. I’m praying for speedy healing for you, and that you enjoy the time basking in the love and company of your family before you return to your journey. I see that you left off very close to our area; if we can be of any assistance in getting you back on track, please let us know. A motorhome counts as camping in my book, and there are no mice 😉
Thank you very much for your kind words, sister. I thought about your family (as well as Haleanna and Ry) being so nearby when I was hiking through the high desert; part of me kept watching the road in case you guys went trundling by. I appreciate the offer very much. Here’s hoping I don’t need further roadside assistance for a while.
That’s terrible luck professor. D:
Take it easy and it should heal right up, I had a knee injury that was like that. Very frustrating, but it’d be more painful if it healed wrong in the future.
Hope you feel better soon!
-Nadia Solis
Now you’ve put in my mind the image of my ankle healing “wrong.” And I’m creeped out. But thanks for the encouragement of my ligaments. Right now it’s more about being frustrated than in pain, which is preferable, really.
Sorry :C
Making things worse tends to happen when I try to cheer up people. Its a gift.
WIth all this free time, you could learn the basics of scenery sketching so you could sketch some sights on your trail!!
Not a problem, ma’am. Just me attempting to be humorous and also making people uncomfortable. Perhaps we share a gift. It’s one I keep spreading on the trail.
That wonderful feeling of seeing other mentally backtracking to think about and finally settle on disproportionate dread.
I’m glad someone is keeping this tradition alive and well.