A Pin, A Wire, and A Button

Before I explain the title of this post, I have some pictures and a description of my last Smokies hike with the Margaret Stevenson Wednesday Hikers.  On December 3, over 30 hikers met at the Sugarlands Visitor Center to organize a key swap hike that had at least three variations.  The logistics alone will make your head spin, but organizing everyone in the right cars to the right destination was in Frank's capable hands.  We were soon on our way to Noisy Creek where our group of 15 would take an access trail to the Old Settlers Trail and hike east to the Maddron Bald/Gabes Mountain Trail junction, then on to Cosby Campground on the Gabes Mountain Trail.  At least that was the plan.

The Old Settlers Trail stretches 15.9 miles west-to-east from Greenbrier to the Maddron Bald Trail.  On the map there are no other trail junctions, so a long day hike seemed to be the only way to hike the trail.  One advantage of hiking with this Wednesday group is the trail knowledge of the leaders; like where to access the Old Settlers Trail at Noisy Creek on Hwy. 321 at almost the halfway point on the trail.

After 3/4 mile through the woods along Noisy Creek we came to the Old Settlers Trail.

As the name implies, this trail winds through an area of the Smokies that was heavily settled in the 1800s by families who farmed the land.  There are dozens of stone walls, chimneys, and remnants of homes all along the trail.  To me, the stone walls were an amazing sight.  The walls in this area are higher and longer than walls in other parts of the park.

 This wall was so level along the top and about 3 feet wide.

This wall was about 5 feet high.

How big was this tree when the wall was built? 

The trail went through this wall.

We took a break at the McCarter Barn, restored and recently re-roofed by the Park Service.

A half mile or so from the next trail junction there was a creek crossing that didn't look too difficult. Large rocks separated by rushing sluices of water seemed to afford a way across.  Each hiker began crossing, choosing which rock to hop to next.  It all happened so fast; one moment I was on a rock about to step to another, and the next moment I was in the creek with my right hand hitting hard on a rock.  Several hands had me out of the creek and safely across where I adjusted my glasses that were knocked askew and noticed my thumb was scraped and quite crooked.  

I cannot say enough about the care and concern for me by the group.  My thumb was taped and splinted with a plastic fork, and an icepack was taped and tied on.  A bandana was rigged as a sling to keep my hand elevated, and I was given Aleve for swelling and pain.  I can't name everyone who pitched in to help for fear I will leave someone out.  I thank each and everyone who helped me with my injury and hiking out to a car and driving me to my car so I could go to the ER, and for all the well-wishes along the way.

So, the title of this post.  After X-rays at the ER showing a bone chip, or flake avulsion, and a referral to a hand specialist, I was told I needed surgery to reattach a torn tendon on the top of the first joint of my thumb.  With that surgery I have a pin inserted to keep the joint straight and a wire securing the bone flake and tendon in place with a button on the outside of the thumb holding the wire in place.  The surgery went well, and the pain has been manageable.  My main task is to keep my hand elevated.

With several weeks for everything to heal, I will have plenty of time to plan future hikes in the Smokies.  One of those hikes will be Gabes Mountain Trail that I missed after my fall, and another will be the other half of the Old Settlers Trail.  No matter the trail I find myself on, I will take time to wade the big stream crossings, not rock hop!  

When I do get back on the trail I will be adding miles toward hiking all the trails in the Smokies and raising money for Rotary International's End Polio Now campaign.

Thanks again for everyone's prayers and encouragement.