Date: 2022-06-25
From: Tom Lavardi 

To: Father Tom Campsite - Cheshire MA
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: broken clouds

If I go crazy, then will you still call me Superman?If I¢m alive and well, will you be there and holding my hand?I¢ll keep you by my side with my superhuman mightKryptoniteWe are laying in tents next to ten-or-so other hikers listening to this song playing through the stereo at the yard party across the street. The volume dial goes to eleven. It¢s 9:02, uncomfortably past thru hiker bedtime. I made a pact with Shweaty, Stealth, and Jolly Lobster that we¢d go over at 10:30 and break up the party unless the beer was good. So we¢re waiting it out. We made plans with Tom this morning to slackpack Joni to Cheshire, about 10 miles north on the trail. We broke camp and we¢re ready to roll about 7:30. We said our goodbyes to the regulars at Tom¢s house. Joni and I thanked Tom. I offered him $100 for the camping, ice cream, shuttles, dinner, two breakfasts, and the shared trail wisdom. He snorted and shook his head.  ¢I don¢t do it that way.¢ Joni started crying. He started crying and gathered us both in a hug. ¢It all works out.¢As we left Dalton the five of us talked through what had happened. Tom had done everything we needed, including some things we didn¢t know we needed, along with some things thrown in for fun. He did it for no other reason than we needed it and he could do it for us. We are helpless to repay him. We are not special to him - we¢re only 5 hikers he¢s seen in 43 years - but, at the same time, he made sure we knew we were very special to him, even if only for a little more than a day. It was an awesome picture of selflessness. It makes us want to go and do the same. We saw Tom again at the end of our hike when he drove to Cheshire (after we called) and delivered our gear. What a saint. We thanked him again and said goodbye.Joni¢s leg is feeling better, even after our hike today. To rest? To zero? To push on? To slackpack? For how long? Whose advice is best? These are questions that we ask 5 times per minute. We are emotionally invested. We have a goal and we¢re not moving fast enough to make that goal. What to do? Then, when other hikers weigh in with their advice - their emotionally detached advice - it has always been to slow down. To stop. To listen to your body. Does it need to stop? Then you stop. Easy. Shepherd told us at dinner last night that the first 3rd of the trail is physical. All the people around us were here, not because they haven't had problems but because they did what needed to be done to take care of it. ¢There are many hikers¢ he said ¢that started with us but aren¢t here with us now because they didn¢t do what was needed to take care of their bodies.¢ Having seasoned hikers around who have, at this point, put in 1500 miles, is a big help. Mentors on all sides. Mentors are best when they can think through your problem without emotion. Housic River runs clear and cold behind the campsite. We set up tents and went straight into the water. ¢River¢ is a generous name but it was plenty deep to submerge and wash off the day. Then across the street to Diane¢s Twist for ice cream. Grayson and I took two loaner bikes and rode around town, then down the rails-to-trails trail to Cheshire Reservoir. Tuna Mac and Cheese failed for dinner so we went in with Spotter and ordered pizza delivered. We got a large for the 5 of us. She got a large for herself (she¢s little). Stealth was eating a half-gallon of ice cream. <<heavy Quebec City (French) accent>> ¢It¢s not a challenge anymore. It¢s 2500 calories with good fat. I do it every time I go into town.¢Played Pok©mon. Talked gear with the crowd. Answered hiking-with-five-people questions (¢It¢s hard enough planning for one!¢). Read some books. Now trying to go to sleep.Tomorrow we¢ll split gear and effectively slackpack Joni across Mt Greylock. Shelter tomorrow night. Nero next day into Williamston. Do you love me, do you wanna be my friend?And if you doWell then don't be afraid to take me by the handIf you want toI think this is how love goes, check yes or noCheck yes or noCheck yes or noCheck yes or noCheck yes or no