Day Three

Today was easier physically, but tougher mentally. Yesterday, in the deep-puddling hate-slush I merely had to slog through to the end. The trip's cold made concluding necessary. Today, the purpose and pleasure of the trip was in doubt, each step perhaps a folly. I am not a steel-willed person. Each note I have received from all of you has helped me persevere. Tomorrow's goal will be to start early and keep a steady pace. Let's see what I can do.

I weighed my pack and accounting for food eaten it likely weighed fifty-pounds at the start of the trip. I am accumulating a list of unnecessary weight and will be sending some items home to reduce the load. I also brought too much food (I pass a supermarket at least every two hours). Once it's eaten, I will be traveling lighter. Repacking the load symmetrically with the tent at my spine was a change my right hip flexor endorsed. My road atlas will be replaced state to state with a folding road map - lighter, more compact, more detailed, minimized off-route information, and easily exchanged for the next state. No pictures today. I seem to be moved to photography by the spirit of rivers. What should I be looking out for to think to photograph?