We finally left Unionville, NY this morning. Butch gave us a ride to the trailhead and wouldn’t accept money for his gas or time. Not Bad called Druid and found out that he was only five miles behind us so we decided to wait for him to arrive. I finished reading A Clockwork Orange. I threw the Frisbee around a bit with Not Bad.
Since hiking, I have no speed. I don’t have a quick first step and I run like an old man. My body works for only one purpose now, hiking. It has developed for that purpose only. My legs are fat and muscular. I try to lengthen my stride to lengthen the muscles, but it’s hard when wearing heavy boots. My quads have angles on them I’ve never seen before this trip. My stomach and hips lack the bulges I’ve had all my life. I’ve never been in better physical health. My lungs and heart are working well, I suppose. I require fewer breaks during the day for lack of breath and fatigue.
Druid finally showed at the shelter. Not Bad and Bonefish got baked and we moved down the trail to the last shelter in New Jersey. The state is nearly completed. On the way to the shelter, we got sidetracked once again. At Culver’s Gap, the trail passes through a lot next to a grill. I think it’s called the Sunset Grill. Not Bad, Bonefish, and I decided to have dinner at the restaurant since soon there won’t be as many opportunities for town food on the trail. Not Bad and I also wanted to watch some of the NY Giants-Indianapolis Colts game to see the Manning brothers play each other. Bonefish had never watched a football game, having grown up without a television. He asked countless questions about the rules.
We finished our overpriced dinner and fairly tipped the rude waitress. She didn’t care much for hikers. We returned to the trail for an uneventful three mile night hike to the shelter.
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