Day 104
- Mile ??? - Jul 12th, 2015
Day 104
Mile 1463
Kent, Connecticut
The best way to do this thing is to play both roles. Be the tortoise. Be the hare. Own the moment. Slow and steady at times. Fast and furious at others. Maintain focus. A dedication to direction. Allow yourself to be pulled magnetically; North.
I have a package from a friend in Falls Village, Connecticut. It should arrive Tuesday, I'll be there Monday afternoon. It will put me at mile 1488 after 15 weeks on the trail. Pretty much exactly where I want to be.
It has been a tough week. But a good one. I made good miles all week, except for a 12 mile day into Harriman, NY to do laundry. I'm resupplying food this morning. I am getting a bit tired of the tarp situation and might buy a hammock this morning, as I exit town. We'll see.
New York was gorgeous, although still a bit rocky. Bear Mountain nearly did me in on a hot summer day. The climb to the summit was similar to the approach trail. Hundreds of steps. Big, stone steps. Nearly straight up. It seemed to be the hottest day of the year and I was out of water from the get-go. I did not enjoy nearly overheating. There was no running water at the top. But there was a soda machine. I spent 8 dollars on drinks.
I ran into Two Dogs a couple days ago. I hadn't seen him since Pennsylvania. It's good to see my old friend. We first met over 1000 miles ago. He's 64 and started the trail two weeks prior to me. He IS the turtle. He puts in 10-11 hour days. Slow and steady.
He's a self deprecating, grumbling, hard headed, old fogey from Boston. He curses aloud and says everything sucks. I enjoy his company immensely. He is an inspiration. His goal is to finish around September 1, so we may be on similar schedules from here on out.
Miles since my last entry were: 27, 12, 26, 19, 20, and 18.
Made up a lot of time and still feel great.
I'm getting very excited about Maine. About wrapping this thing up. There is still a lot of work left, but the light at the end of the tunnel is beaming brighter than ever.
As for what I plan to do after completion, I need to get to work. I need pay off my credit card and stockpile some funds. I plan to travel abroad next year. I have verbally committed to hiking the Camino de Santiago in France and Spain. A 500 mile trail that has been a pilgrimage route for thousands of years. I want to spend a couple months across the pond. I want to get a better perspective on the rest of the world. I want to spend my time traveling. To be an explorer. I will work tirelessly until it comes to fruition. Nothing can stop this train. That's what this trail teaches you. Anything is possible. You hold the key to your own success. Put in the time and the reward will follow. The heart is easily the most powerful muscle.
But, back to the task at hand.
I should be in Massachusetts by Wednesday. The states have been flying by.
Time itself is moving faster than ever. In just 7-8 weeks, the greatest journey of my life will be wrapping up. I know I will look back on this trip for ever. It holds energy, inspiration and motivation. It will lead to greater and grander things.
It already has.
Michelangelo
Jason
- Mile ??? - Jul 12th, 2015