August 2020 Update

As I mentioned in previous posts, I hope to get in some more of the journey in August.  However, I have had a bit of a physical setback...

Last Tuesday evening I noticed a small red area near my right ankle, smaller than a quarter. I thought it was a bug bite.  By Wednesday evening my entire foot/ankle was swollen and painful and there was a wide red streak going up my leg to just past my knee.  This took 24 hours.

We went to the ER and I ended up spending 5 days in the hospital.  The official diagnosis was “subcutaneaous bacterial infection with sepsis.”  I had been tubing in the upper Potomac River two days before and that might be related, but they are not sure what caused it to happen and we will likely never know.

These types of infections typically occur on the foot or lower leg and can be very serious if not treated quickly.  If you ever have a fast moving red/painful area, take it seriously and get to a doctor or ER ASAP!!

Weeks ago, we booked a place in Avon, NC for the first week in August, thinking at that time that I could go down ahead of the family and paddle from Avon to Ocracoke Island.  

I have been home since Sunday recovering and am progressing nicely, but I'm not ready to do long, multi-day solo trips yet.  So, we shall got to Avon and if my foot and leg feel up to it, I may do a one-day paddle or two to cover some more miles.  If I do end up paddling more, I'll keep posting.

Cheers, thanks for following!