Day 6: Resting up the shins

Town day

May 1st

Zero

Today was my first full town day. I got up and had breakfast down in the lobby of the hotel; a make -your-own waffles kind of thing. I like when the hotel has breakfast included.

I knew that my main goal for today was to get my food bag in order and to find some weight to take out of my pack, so I spent an hour or so planning out my next few days on the trail, to see how many nights of food I would need, and then getting my meals settled.

Later, I began laying the things in my pack out, sorting them to see what might be duplicates, and then making the hard choices. Probably the hardest thing to give up is my sleeping pad. I’m pretty sure that I will be needing that someday in a shelter. But the pack needs to be lighter, so that went in the pile. Eventually I had separated all I dared to lose, and I stuffed it in the small day pack, and walked over to the post office to box to up and ship it all home. After all my obsessing about getting rid of weight, I didn’t think to ask them how heavy the box was. The post office people were very, very helpful; in fact they pretty much took over packing and sealing it up. I was very grateful for that. I won’t leave you in suspense: the receipt slip showed it was 7 lbs. 15 oz., almost 8 pounds. Not as much as I wanted, but still pretty good. After mostly packing back up again I can really tell the difference. I hope my shoulders can feel it as well, tomorrow.

Supper was at Applebee’s: a bacon burger and a Goose IPA. Thanks to my buddy, Steve, for putting the IPA in my subconscious yesterday…

Oh, and the shins… they’re doing OK. My right ankle is giving me some trouble; I’ve had some historical trouble there, but I think I’m in good enough shape to try to go back out. I think a three day stretch before the next town should give me a good sense of how well things are going to work.

So I’m being picked up in the morning at 9:30 by a shuttle person and taken back to the trail. I found myself getting very excited about that idea sometime this afternoon as I realized that I had actually dropped some decent weight. So maybe there’s some hope for this whole thing after all.

6 responses to “Day 6: Resting up the shins”

  1. timmaynard2017 Avatar
    timmaynard2017

    Thinking about you A LOT Bro… and sending lots of Love your way. I didn’t realize how much this was going to mean to ME. I feel like I am there with you and in truth I AM. Peace, Tim

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    1. Tolmann Avatar
      Tolmann

      Thanks, Tim. Love back to you, Kathy and the kids!

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  2. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    Is your trail name Tolmann? I just want to post on your blog about what’s happening on the homefront while you’re hiking. Today is Jonny’s 25 th birthday ! He has the day off and so he is playing video games, which is how he likes to spend his free time. Tonight me, Jeff, Bryan & Janelle will have a supper together of chinese food (everybody’s favorite and which you are making possible b/c of having worked before your hiking sabbatical).
    I have been hearing from lots of people who we are connected to. I have had dinner and lunch invitations and lots of emails asking how I’m doing. One of our neighbors even came over with fresh asparagus from their garden. The way I like to spend my free time these days is quilting and watching old movies and Netflix documentaries. The way I shop and cook is very different and I seem to eat meals at unscheduled times. I expected to meet this change in income by getting a part time job, I am still trying to figure the financial part out. Meanwhile I have started the garden and am delighted that Bryan & Jonny put in a raised bed garden at Bry’s apartment. Both of my parents raised vegetables so this is am important lineage …
    I see your hiking adventure as a very life affirming way to relate to our times. Because it has so much meaning to me and b/c of the way social media is these days I am doing okay. We are all in this together ! One step at a time 🚶🏻

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    1. Tolmann Avatar
      Tolmann

      Love this, Hon!
      You saw the reference to “Tolmann” on the blog, eh? I chose it as my user name on WordPress.

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  3. Carolyn Sprague Avatar
    Carolyn Sprague

    Hi Tom,
    I also am very pleased to be “journeying with you” through your blog. Thank you for sharing with us. And I’m cheering you on too. Fortunately the body is an expert at healing given half a chance. Maybe Debbie can mail you back your sleeping pad when you’re a bit more seasoned. My Bob hiked Philmont in the New Mexico Rockies for 10 days, and when he heard you dropped over 7 pounds he immediately commented “That’s significant.” Here’s to your shins and ankles agreeing!
    Love,
    Carolyn

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  4. Pam Ackerman Avatar
    Pam Ackerman

    I love how your are being gentle with yourself and taking care. After all as the song says you are ‘ a child of them universe. Being born each moment.’ I too am so grateful to share this experience with you.

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