Jun 23 - New Jersey (Zero Day)

ZERO DAY #16
LOCATION: Roselle, NJ
TRIP MILEAGE: 1,285.6
MILES TO GO: 893.5

I woke up this morning and my body was tired. I had brand new boots
and wanted to break them in a bit. I stepped outside and the heat and
humidity was oppressive. The news talked of record high temps. You can
see where this is going... "Don't fight the zero."

Panda and Smoke offered to host me another day. I was so glad. I
needed it. This was also exciting because it meant I could experience
Smokestack's stomping ground in Roselle, NJ, meet his grandmother and
see "the man behind the Smoke" if you will.

Before we left Bridgewater, Panda made a gigantic breakfast that would
have made the Food Network's Robert Irvine, host of Dinner Impossible
proud. Mission: cook breakfast for 2 thru hikers at 9AM so they don't
feel hungry again until 2:45PM. Mission accomplished. Eggs, pancakes,
potatoes and from what I'm told, a favorite Jersey delicacy... Taylor
Ham aka pork roll. Delicious. I'm a fan.

We got to Roselle in early afternoon. I met Smoke's very sweet
grandmother, Rose... Trailname: Nan. I also met uncle Mickey. Smoke
showed me the work he'd done on the house during and after the passing
of his grandfather, Frank. I also got to see lots of photos of Frank,
Nan and Smoke in the early days. Something really special too... I got
to see the newspaper clippings and the municipal commendation awarded
to Frank back in 1975 resulting from his amazing act of heroism.
Frank, 38 at the time, was working as a caretaker at a boarding house
in Elizabeth, NJ. A fire broke out in one of the units of the
building. It quickly spread and Frank managed to rescue four elderly
people from the blaze that devastated the building and left two
residents de. It was no easy rescue. He had to carry the rescuees and
sustained his own injuries from the blaze in the process. It would
have been great to meet the man that raised Smoke. It shows in Smokes
descriptions and the photographs... Smoke looked up to him and learned
lots from him.

We hit the grocery store, I resupplied and we headed back for din din.
Once again, Panda put together a delicious meal of breaded tilapia,
green beans and scalloped potatoes. If there's one thing I've learned
in these quick 33 years... Jersey girls know how to cook.

Then we strolled down to Smoke's home watering hole, Hamilton's
Tavern. He and Panda were there on her last day of work before she and
Smoke started the hike back in April. Our very sweet bartender, Hope,
remembered them from that day and asked why they were home... Panda
responded "He just hiked home 1,200 miles to get here!" Hope was so
impressed, we each got a cold one on the house. She was really cool.
We also met Smoke and Panda's friends Jen and Matt... As I expected,
great folks. We swapped stories and had a few laughs. I also met a
local in the bar who's dad was originally from Peabody, so we talked
that all up. It was a great night overall. I've decided Roselle, NJ is
my favorite trail town. It's a tough 70 mile hitch to the right at the
DWG, but it's worth the trip.

Headed back into the bush tomorrow. But only after another delicious
Panda breakfast. Woo hoo

-natedog