August 11 Mile 1456

Get up a little slowly, as we went to bed so late. My ankle and foot are really hurting. Hoped that it would improve overnight, but it is no better and is difficult to put weight on. Eat breakfast and start off. I am very slow and, boy, Conn is just as rocky and looks no different than any other state we have been in. Actually find a creek with water in it after two miles and Cisco and I decide to load up-three liters- even though the extra weight is difficult to carry. Water has been so scarce for the past 4 states. I am moving only 1 mile per hour due to my foot and ankle pain. So we come down to a road after hiking only 3 miles, and it's already 11:30., cause I have been so slow. We are about a mile from the town of Kent, Conn. I am stubborn and really want to hike through this, but Tootsie Pop and the others are concerned that my foot should be looked at by a doctor. As we are standing by the road a car pulls up and a hiker gets out and is talking to the driver. I debate in my mind for awhile what to do, and decide I should probably go into town, as this is the largest community for awhile, and even it's pretty small. I go up to the car to ask the driver for a lift into Kent and the young hiker says, "this is my mom and she is a nurse". So I say, "well my ankle is hurting and I think it should be looked at . " So, she says, "let me see it". I roll down my right sock and she looks at my swollen red ankle. "you have cellulitis", and I have no clue what that is. She says "it's a skin infection from some bacteria or insect bite. I will drive you to town"
"How about my 3 companions?" I ask. She says, "sure, hop in". We meet the nicest people on the trail.
Into town and they actually have a walk-in clinic. They tell me to come back at 3:15, which makes me very happy they can see me so soon, as it is really hurting.
Kent is a very cute New England town, lots of book stores and some coffee shops and a welcoming library with Internet.
Eat lunch, hang out at the library and hobble back to the clinic on time.
Sure enough, our good Samaritan nurse was correct- cellulitis- needing antibiotic treatment, but should clear up in 2-3 days. Doc says she sees it all the time on us hikers. Any break in the skin, and infection can manifest itself. She told me if it didn't improve in a few days or got worse, I would need to go to a hospital. That was sobering. Didn't expect that.
So I get my script, eat dinner and hang out in town. Turns out the local Episcopal priest, Rector Roger is super nice and friendly to hikers, and will let us camp in the Rectory backyard. So we do. Of course my ankle is really hurting at this point all I can do is get up my tent and go to bed.
Maybe the med will kill some of this bug and I will start to feel better tomorrow.