“My Journey Is My Destination...”
From The Woods To The Biggest City..."Forrest Gump ran roads, I hike mountains!"
Publisher's Note: This is a trail journal by Dustin Jackson in his own words and
thoughts.
He is hiking the Appalachian Trail southbound from Maine to Georgia. The News & Neighbor will follow his adventure as he reports to us via internet cafes. He
will also send photos from stopping points along the trail. The map included
with his journals will mark his progress. You can also follow along via
internet by viewing his trail journal at: www.trailjournals.com/Jackson
Dustin's email address is: appalachian.jackson@gmail.com
By Dustin Jackson (Trail name "Farsang")
Day 59 13.9 Miles Mt. Algo Shelter
More ups and downs, good flat river walk. I'm going into Kent, CT today, my only stop in CT. Couldn't get a hitch so I walked the .8 to town. Stopped by the outfitter and got my drop. My mom sent a full bag of chili
peppers.
My dad sent trail mix and some peanut squares. Becky sent me some memories of home.
I headed over to the deli and for a pastrami sandwich, a patty melt and 2 cokes.
I stopped by the small grocery store to buy some dinners. My dinners are now based on tortillas. I look for the ones that do not have
partially hydrogenated oils.
I couldn't find them. I had to buy the mission brand with hydrogenated oils. They were empty tasting
tortillas. I would urge people to spend a little extra and find out what
they're missing.
While walking out of Kent I saw storm clouds rolling in and heard thunder. The shelter was .3 from the road. I hurried along. Made it just before the rain. The only thing I didn't like about this shelter is that it was built under an
acorn tree.
Day 60 18.0 Miles
Today I hike for Herman Jenkins, owner with his wife of Main Street Cafe and
Catering in Jonesborough.
He is a man who took a chance on a business in a dying community in the early
80's and made a success from it.
I like him because he doesn't come from a place of fear. He will matter of factly tell you, "Let's make it happen." When I picked Herman to hike for this morning I had absolutely no idea of what
kind of day I was going to have.
Let's get to hiking! It rained last night and the air was crisp. A cold front finally broke all the
heat.
I found rapids by the ten mile river. I sat by them and had lunch for an hour. I really am able to relax by moving water.
Right after the state line, (yep I'm in a new state) state number six New York!
I found some trail magic.
I looked in my book and saw the railroad picks up from the AT on Saturdays and
takes you to Grand Central Station.
There was one at 4:40 p.m. & 6:35, with 6 miles to walk. I thought about it for 15 seconds and decided to go. "Let's go" I thought. (Let's being only me). I missed the 4:40, so I got on the 6:35. I was in NYC by 8:20 P.M. I called Becky and said "Guess where I am?" She was very excited for me.
So here I am with a heavy pack full of food in Manhattan. I walked down 42nd St. to Times Square. It was 9:15 P.M. I stood right at the point where the traffic splits. I was overwhelmed by all the people with so many different people from different
countries.
I could only take about 15 min. It was hard moving through with the pack on. Everyone who looked at me definitely looked twice. I walked off the square to Rockefeller Center, then around to Radio City Music
Hall.
I think many tourists thought I was homeless. I guess I am in a way. "I come from the woods". I laughed at that thought. I was ready to get away from the tourist spots and venture out. It was time to learn the NYC subway.
I headed back to Grand Central. I figured that was a good place to start. I studied the map in the terminal. I had no other map as I did not want to buy one. I rode the subway down to the World Trade Center site. Some of the trains were not running because of the flood. I was told to take the E train. I was directed to get off at the last stop and take the ? train. It was just like the Saturday Night Live skit, when they talk with their hands
over their mouth.
I couldn't understand what train I was supposed to be on. All I knew was the E train never showed up in 40 min, so I walked. I asked a lady for directions, she pointed me in the general direction. It was now about 2 a.m. I had sat in a few places earlier just people watching and resting my feet. I walked in the pointed direction; it was now time to get exact directions. So I asked a guy. He only spoke
Spanish. I said "Nueve, Once"(9-11), figuring he would get it. I said "avion" (airplane) and made crashing motions with my hands and sounds
with my mouth.
No cigar. He ended up pointing me in the wrong direction, but I later found it. A lot of fire trucks were around. I later found out there was a big fire. I walked the perimeter of the site, admired how the foundation had been left.
On my way down I had seen a sign for the Brooklyn Bridge, I was tired, it was 3
a.m., and I couldn't remember where.
I walked back to where I thought it was and walked into Chinatown, then into
Little Italy, then into SOHO, all the places I wanted to see.
I had walked far and figured I was going in the wrong direction. I started asking people, no one knew where it was. Now, imagine, if you can, in your best square headed NY Italian voice a guy
asking me, "what are you, some sorda Forrest Gump or sumethin?"
I mustered my best covered up southern accent as to not sound JUST like Forrest
and said, "Forrest ran roads, I hike mountains!"
He pointed me in a general direction. I walked for a while and figured it wasn't right. I was way off going to some other bridge. So I found my way to the subway and rode down to the Brooklyn Bridge.
I walked to the middle of the bridge and amazed with its size. It was 4 a.m. I sat on the bench and shook with all of the traffic going by. NYC is truly a city that never sleeps. I popped out my MP3 player and listened to the "Everybodyfields," 'Good To Be
Back Home.'
I was very aware of how big a deal it was for me to be sitting in NYC on the
Brooklyn Bridge.
I dozed for a while. It was 5:30 a.m. and the sun was starting to rise. I walked on across the bridge into Brooklyn, then made it back to the middle for
the beautiful sunrise.
It was one of the most colorful I'd seen. Once the sun was up I realized that behind me I could see Ellis Island and the
statue of Liberty.
It works out good for me a lot of times! It was now 6:45 a.m., my train back to the trail leaves at 9:50 a.m. from Grand
Central.
I still wanted to see Central Park. more>>
