Date: 2007-07-22
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Murray Property - Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

I had been told by one of the other hikers at the shelter this morning that this shelter is sometimes visited by a bear. Gee, now I know why I was the only hiker in the shelter last night. Not that a flimsy peice of nylon would protect you from a bear, but it still offers a certain degree of psychological well being and comfort. Anyway, the bear did not make a visit, or I was sleeping to soundly to notice. One good feature of the NJ shelters and campsites is the installed bear boxes. This is basically a heavy duty metal box which allows you to lock up your food for the night. It uses a simple latch type lock which a bear just isn't smart enough to figure out (at least not yet).There were two married couples here last night, Chuck Norris (who by the way looks like the martial arts expert) and Tigger, and Troll and his wife (whose trail name I forgot). They are all about my age and are thru hiking also. We all started hiking about the same time, but I gradually pulled ahead, which was probably a mistake on my part since I ended up clearing the path of spider webs. We all eventually met up for a break, 6 miles later at Mashipacong Shelter.Later on around lunch time, the trail went by High Point State Park. The administration building with rest rooms and a soda machine were nearby, but the lake, beach, showers, and concession stand were about a mile off trail. I debated whether or not to walk 2 miles round trip to go to the concession, but in the end, the thought of an ice cream pop and maybe a cup of coffee won out. I was at least able to leave my pack at the admin. builing along with all the other packs. I hiked down to the concession, purchased a coffee and ice cream and reclined on the shaded lawn near the lake to relax. I could not help but notice all the folks enjoying a nice day at the lake. There were three boys at the end of the lake fishing and lots of people on the beach, and others having a BBQ. I also noticed that the majority of people appeared to be of various foreign cultures, possibly new or visiting immigrants. I smiled, because it really didn't matter much, where they had come from, or what their religion is, etc. since there always seems to be a common denominator that brings all people together. It is the desire to live in peace, and enjoy a beautiful day by the lake with family and friends, and leave all their troubles behind (at least for a while).As I hiked back to get my pack and continue hiking I passed Chuck, Tigger, Troll and his wife heading for the concession stand. Hiking away from the park, I viewed High Point Monument, which looked similar to the Washington Monument in DC. There were some options for a destination today. About 7 miles from the park was a place called the "Secret Shelter" which was basically a comfortable shelter built by a former thru hiker on a piece of property he owns adjacent to the trail. Another option, was a short walk into Unionville, NY (the trail here winds into and out of NJ and NY) to stay at a hostel. I decided to stay at the shelter. It was seven miles from the park and I initially thought I passed it. I realized that a sign marking the location of a well along a woods road, was the way to the shelter. When I arrived there I was impressed. The "secret shelter" was built by former thru hiker Jim Murray and is a simple rustic building which could sleep four hikers inside and a few on an outside porch. It is situated on a beautiful and peaceful open piece of property with nearby shade trees. This is no ordinary shelter though. It has electricity, lights, running hot and cold water and a shower. Lots of luxury by thru hiker standards. I thought I'd be the only one there tonight, but Chuck, Tigger, Troll, and Troll's wife showed up later.All is well at the end of a long day.