May 10, 2012 Day 17 — Morristown to Maplewood, NJ (14.5 miles)

“N de C Savings and Loan”

The shindig last night with Asselin cousins (not removed, once removed and even twice removed) gives me the strength and resolve to walk the 14.5 miles from cousin Rob’s (the brother) located to the west to cousin Margaret’s (the sister) further to the east. The outpouring of hospitality continues. (I even sense a little competition between siblings regarding menu planning and overall presentation.)

Today I move closer and closer to NYC. But what’s on my mind isn’t The Big Apple but silly calculations in my head concerning my mileage investment in the Camino de Nathaniel Savings and Loans. (Notice I do my business with a local bank while walking, one that already knows me well.) The good news is that, unlike the present US and world economies, I’m operating totally in the black. There is no deficit spending going on in my mileage account. On the contrary, I seem to be accumulating more walking miles than originally projected and will end up walking well over 500 miles.

So, folks, when I reach NYC, I don’t want to hear any complaints when I use public transportation to cross the Hudson and East Rivers rather than walk across the George Washington Bridge or through the Lincoln Tunnel (with gas mask, of course). Not to worry: there will still be plenty of walking from downtown (the Village) to uptown (around 95th street). I’ll just be drawing down my current mileage surplus a bit.

Walking today through the little towns of Morristown, Madison, Chatham, Millburn, and Maplewood is a trip through historical suburban architecture as I admire the elegance of these old residences outside New York City. Cousin Margaret worries a bit about me when an unexpected rain storm passes through. Yes, I get completely soaked because all my rain gear is at the bottom of my pack. When she finds me, it’s sunny again, I’m totally dry, and she even catches me smelling fragrant flowers dangling from a tree. Am I living in the present? Yes, I am.

Tonight, the Asselin clan will reunite to celebrate a second time my passing through these parts. The occasion promises to send me off royally to The Nammacks and Montclair Kimberley Academy 7.5 miles to the north. (mileage to date: 234)