July 23rd, Marathon, NY

.July 23, Marathon, 35 days out, 5 weeks

Ate breakfast in Pat and Mary’s Cafe. It turned out to be the local place for "the guys" to have breakfast. Most of them were 2-3 generation locals. They talked about the crazy places people are building house now. The spring that one man's father had used when he was a kid and is now used for a water spot for cows on someone's property. Learned that Mary had a bad shoulder that the local chiropractor had helped. Learned that Jeff had died yesterday and he was a good man who was always kind to people. Learned that the lady behind me was an author attempting to put together a book about her childhood. Later two men who work at the cemetery came in and said they had a burial this afternoon, but it was not that much work because the person had been cremated. This little place reminded me of Wis. little towns. My friend Rich, could have sat down and talked with them. The difference was the names -- the places, memories, and topics would be just like home. The ladies at the grocery store helped me make a hitch hiking sign by providing a cardboard box end and a magic marker to use tomorrow. The lady's allowed that her son would really like to do a hike like I was doing. He had just left the Army after 3 deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan as a scout. He is going to start school this fall.

Today is a good day to take a 0 day, it has been raining all day.

How do you know it is humid outside? When your glasses steam up seconds after walking out of the store.