July 16, 2004

I began my hike in New Jersey, had a stop in New York, and finished my day in NJ.  The A.T. weaves in and out of New York and New Jersey.  I met a trail angel named Desperado.  Bear and I had lunch with him at a general store in Unionville, NY.

Desperado went through my bag, item by item, to help me get the weight down.  A heavy pack kills the feet and these days, my pack weight is heavier than Bear's!  I was not willing to use a disposable camera instead of my Olympus film camera with a zoom.  I did pitch my long-stemmed Bic lighter and purchased a small lighter.  I got rid of a plastic Nalgene bottle and replaced it with a Propel bottle.  I sent my camp shoes home along with my Merrell trail runners.  I replaced them with a pair of Saucony running shoes, a brand that I have been wearing for over 25 years.  Having been a marathoner and training 70 miles a week, the Saucony's feel like next of kin on my feet.  I used way too much T.P. out here and got rid of several extra packages.

Desperado suggested that I dry out my tent because it is flat-out heavy.  I carry just one bottle of bug spray now instead of two.  I gave my camp pillow to Bear.  Instead, I will sleep on my clothes bag.   My food bag is heavy but I would not compromise my meals.  I love to eat and cannot eat enough calories to sustain myself anyway.  The food stayed.  I pack my food bag with nutritious foods such as Promax bars, Snicker's marathon bars, Balance bars, applesauce, bagels, flour tortilla's, peanut butter, Lipton noodles, and packaged salmon or tuna.

Desperado was a huge help to me as he has been to thru-hikers for the past 32 years!  He took a young couple under his wing yesterday and today by housing and feeding them, while shuttling their backpacks ahead so they didn't have to carry the extra weight.  Yippie and Jabberwok were becoming weary and discouraged.  Desperado's trail magic reinvigorated their spirits and their bodies.  He wants to help thru-hikers achieve their dream.  God Bless Desperado!!