Date: 2004-07-02
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 14.3

Thanks to AT hiker alum Desperado, we had water last night and this morning -- he left five gallons of water at a parking lot close to the shelter -- not to mention for lemonade powder, penny candy, and a first aid kit in the bear box at this and the last shelter. What a prince! And he's only 19. The youth of American are our hope for the future. Rock on, Desperado!And thanks to the stops at Gyp's Tavern yesterday and Unionville tonight, I'm okay for food until my next maildrop at Vernon, NJ. I thought I'd have to ration my dried cereal and hard-boiled eggs and lentils, but instead am feeding The Hunger -- it begins!Only one blister and a couple of bug bites so far in NJ -- have been slathering on the insect repellent cream morning and evening religiously, and I ordered a headnet from Campmor that should be waiting for me in Vernon. (So I'll look like a hiking bee keeper.)PA does not have a corner on the rock market, but my gang says that NJ is relatively tame compared to their last two days in PA. Every one of them is busting through their trail runners. My boots are looking a little worse for wear, but a little superglue might hold them together for anotehr 400 miles or so. We'll see.p.m. Am having a giant cooked lunch at High Point Shelter after feeling a little faint this morning -- 2 hb eggs and cereal just didn't do it for me, I guess. No worries -- Desperado to the rescue again! A can of tomato paste (that he left in the bear box at Brink Road Shelter) mixed in with Ramen noodles, dried garlic, salt and cayenne, and I'm GOOD TO GO!Have been stopping every two miles or so to stretch out my back. It's still seizing up at night, but feels good when I'm walking.9 p.m. Saw a gopher today -- I think -- running for his hole.Had a couple of beers with the lads -- Wizard, Zippy and Switchback -- at the Back Track Inn, but because the weather's so nice we decided against bunking in the storage room there that's been converted into a "hostel", with shelves for bunks, despite the oddity appeal.We're camping in Unionville town park tonight, right behind the post office and Village Office (i.e. Town Hall) by special permission of Miss Kitty in the town clerk's office. The mayor even came out to visit us! He signed us up for a free copy of the town newsletter. It's a pretty little town with some historic buildings in need of renovation, and an old cemetary enclosed by some impressive wrought iron gates. With a little investment, this could be the next Yuppie haven from the City.When I arrived at the gazebo in the part this afternoon (last, of course), Riva Queen announced that the group had decided that I need "an intervention" -- on my pack. I knew what was coming -- another pack shakedown! So I dumped the contents of my pack on the grass, and between us, and to the hilarity of all, we lightened my pakc by about eight pounds. I got some ribbing about the half can of tomato paste and my car keys -- and probably five pounds of paper (between envelopes, books, journals, and "notes to self" -- that were still in my pack. So I'm bouncing my day pack, which I had been using as a food bag, and going over to plastic. ("Ounces make pounds," as Profile said, way back in Dahlonega.) Switchback also said that sock liners aren't necessary unless you have a serious problem with sweaty feet, so I'll try going without tomorrow. P.S. Reconstituted garlic in lunch potion is making for a lethally smelly night in the tent. Note to self: no more dried garlic.