Day 3: “Even a Bait Fish Can Drive a Boat”

REDDEN STATE FOREST, DE —

March 27, 2024

Day 3:

“Even a bait fish can drive a boat,” Jeff Mans said, after handing me a bowl of the delicious parmesan-anchovy-spinach-melded pasta he whipped up on the travel stove in the back of his white hallmark home-on-wheels van.

The Mans twins drove to see me in Redden State Forest today, a campground I frankly labored through the rain to get to. My heavier-than-ideal bag has taught me some lessons: be light, and, be even lighter than that. I parted ways with some want-not-need accessories who are now under the care of the twins in hopes of making my yoke a little less heavy. The two make their way to friends in the northeast tomorrow for another adventure. Greg is a popular man out here.

Overall, the day was solid, even if the 12 miles I covered felt like 20 due to a 45-pound bag. That’s what the Aleve is for. I may still have the training wheels on, but I’m tacking on total distance covered and getting the conditioning my body will need to do this shit day-in-day-out.

Apart from the humbling physical reality check, I met some wonderful human beings today after leaving Cait’s farm with some home-grown, hard-boiled eggs.

As I made my way into Milton, I stopped at The SipUrban Farmhouse for a couple of glucose-rich donuts. Everyone inside was so friendly and interested in my walk (people ask when you have a backpack on and smell like trail). On my way out, I was inquisitively greeted by an old-timer named David and his dog Cocoa, who ironically was told by David that his chocolate pastry would not be shared.

David mentioned he has been losing his memory as of late, that it seems to be getting worse by the week. We will remember for him. Captured here: an image of an exceptionally kind and curious man with his canine, reminiscing over a cup of coffee his 200 miles walked along the Appalachian Trail in a distant prologue to his present story.

You walk with us now, David, for you are still the whipper snapper, hence I cast my bait fish into the water.

Tomorrow bites, pulling into it the characters of today.