Since leaving Twin Lakes 4 days ago I have been suffering from extreme pain in my lower left molars and jaw.  The pain got worse every day and I assumed I was grinding/clenching my teeth.  In addition, my lower lip and chin were tingling and starting to go numb.  It would get very bad when I laid down, so I had a lot of trouble sleeping – even after taking 8 Ibuprofens at once. Last night was a long and miserable night so I finally decided to call Dr Wu, the greatest dentist on Earth. We spent a couple of hours texting back and forth and calling the local pharmacies. He diagnosed that it was almost certainly a root canal infection, and was able to call in some antibiotics and pain medication for me. This is on a Saturday morning on his own time. I am so grateful for his care and generosity – he is truly inspiring and I hope I can somehow repay his kindness some day.

The pharmacy was over a mile away so I emptied my pack and headed off. When I got to the Walmart there was a panhandler with a sign saying something about cancer so I gave him some change and went inside.  I bought some supplies and the medications and went outside to pack it into my backpack for the trip back to the room.  There was a man sitting on the only bench so I asked if I could sit there too and he said sure and moved over.  We got to talking and he eventually asked if I wanted a ride back to my room.  I said sure!  He and his wife then drove me all the way back.  People are so nice given half a chance.

There is quite a forest fire going on south of town.  It burned the entire time I was in Salida and kept getting bigger.  Apparently it started in a beetle kill area and the forest service decided to let it burn.  But then the wind picked up and it got a bit out of control.  I hope it doesn’t cause any trail closures.  I think I’m west of it so I should be Ok.