Twenty-first day M 7/27/20

START:  Thornton Gap    SNP     4:15amFINISH: VA 602    4:35pm26.3 miles    12:20    2.1 mph971.1 total miles   46.2 mpd68.6 miles behind Jennifer49.9 miles behind StringbeanHot but no rain finallySecond straight day of 'recovery' mode rather than 'record' mode.Left shin is still preventing Mercury from running. Nonetheless, she perseveres on as a 'slower' hiker.She saw another mama bear and her two cubs, a less harrowing encounter than the last sighting.The trail, time and distance have spoken the truth. We respect, accept and adapt to its judgement.It has been emotional the past two days to see the record slip 99% away.However, it is inspiring to see how Mercury has responded.New goals will be set for her AT transit.We continue northward to the sacred mountain accepting the reality but not being deterred/defeated by it.We wouldn't want to be doing anything else right now but this.Onward!