Last day errands

It’s the last day before Tim and I begin our drive down to the start.  I just got a call from Tim, giving us his ETA in Rochester late this afternoon.  I guess for him, the trek has already started.  For Melissa, it begins Friday when she flies from NYC to Atlanta.  For me, it starts tomorrow morning, when Tim and I roll out of the driveway.  So this is the day for me to run the final preparatory errands.

I sent two more resupply boxes from the PO in North Chili, NY.

So far, my first stop was the North Chili, NY Post Office, to send off two more resupply boxes.  Tom, the man at the counter helpfully reassured me that the boxes would be there before me, and clarified that if I’m expecting to be able to forward anything along the trail without paying again, the box will have to be unopened, and must be sent at least by first-class rate (no parcel post if I might want to “bounce” a box for free).

I didn't finish it - I'll be an Incomplete Walker, I guess.

Chili Public Library

Next stop was the Chili Public Library.  I’ve read plenty of books in preparation for this hike, and I thought that one of them should be “The Complete Walker”, that classic by Colin Fletcher (now co-authored by Chip Rawlins).  I didn’t get far into the book before needing to return it – I guess I’ll just be an Incomplete Walker.

I’m revealing a top secret with this photo: Wegmans provides shopping carts for their patrons!

Then off to Wegmans, our local big grocery store, to buy a few things for the dinner we’ll have tonight.  Susan is making an awesome dinner so she and I can host Tim along with a few other friends, Chris, MN, and Patti & Geoff who’ve all been helpful and inspiring.  I asked at the bakery counter at Wegmans if I could take a photo, and the lady replied that she’s been instructed to discourage anyone from taking photos inside the store.  It was something about competitors.  I guess Wegmans doesn’t want anyone to learn their trade secrets.  Well, I’m going to reveal one with this photo:  Wegmans provides shopping carts for their patrons!  If any competitors are reading this, take note!  A shopping cart is a great convenience!  It’s like a basket with wheels!  Shoppers will likely buy more if they don’t have to hold it in their hands while they traipse around, aisle to aisle!  (There!  If any of you competitors want to use this top-secret information, just don’t reveal that you learned it from me!)

Thanks to a madman in Libya, prices are a bit higher now than what we enjoyed a few weeks ago.

My last stop was the gas station.  Thanks to a madman in Libya, prices are a bit higher now than those we enjoyed a few weeks ago.  My decision to just walk for the next four or five months is not, of course, any sort of protest or conservation measure, but I’m guessing that after so much walking, after I return home I’ll be more apt to do my local errands on foot.