Passing into Pennsylvania

He made it to PA today. He's at Delaware Water Gap tonight. He will take a zero day there tomorrow and wait for his friend to catch up with him. They are planning to hike at least PA together. I'm really glad about this. He has recently been pretty down again about being lonely. For awhile after he got his phone he seemed great because he was connected with us plus a couple of other friends. But the last two days have been rough. Yesterday was lonely and monotonous. This morning he texted me and said, "Why do I get up every morning and just walk? I hate this." That made me really sad. I so want him to enjoy this. He still says he won't quit, but that's only because of the sheer determination inside of him. But I want him to enjoy it. I talked with him about maybe waiting for his friend that he knew was coming and then committing to hike with him through PA even if his friend has a bit slower pace than what he wants. After texting with him, thankfully he decided to do that. Firefoot, his friend, said he would hasten his pace to get there quicker, and Trand agreed to slow down. 

When he went to the post office he said he showed the lady his ID, and she smiled and said, "I've been waiting for you. You've got quite a bit of mail here!" So awesome! Thanks to those of you who sent it. I told him to check back tomorrow just in case because I know of at least one person that definitely sent that he didn't get today. 

His first order of business today was to plan out where he would eat his meals. He told me the other day (Saturday) that he weighed himself for the first time since VT. Y'all, he has lost 41 pounds!!!! I'm dying!! I can't believe it. He said he saw himself in a full mirror for the first time since NH and he says he is so skinny!! Poor thing. So he's been eating all the ice cream he can get his hands on. As much as I would love for him to have some good vegetables and meat, I guess some restaurants won't let the hikers in so he has to eat fast food in the towns. Yuck!! But tonight he found a nice steak place (after he had taken a shower of course.) Not sure if any of the other hikers frequent there after he told me the bill. He certainly is still our son, for sure. But he was very happy about getting his fill of good food tonight. 

After he got back to the hostel, he had a great surprise!! He said about six SOBOs (South bounders) that he hadn't seen seen NH showed up. So they all got to hang out tonight. That's so great for him. What an answer to prayer because like I said, these past couple of days have been bad mentally. They will all keep going tomorrow as he stays and takes his zero and waits for Firefoot, but that's okay. He knows they are ahead of him now to catch up with. 

So tonight I believe he's going to bed happy with a full stomach and in the company of friends. That makes this mama smile!! 😊