Date: 2008-06-04
From: Pochuck Shelter

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Theme of the day: change of plansWoken up at about 1am by a steady downpour. Pretty steady all through the night. Was glad that I decided on the shelter. Hate packing up a wet tent.Liz and Eldon planned to get out early. They decided that they wanted to hike early in the day to beat the heat. Normally, they have been taking their time getting out of camp. Today, they were out by 7:15. I on the other hand had decided to take my time this am. I didn't get on the trail until just about 8. My plan for the day was to get to Vernon (NJ 94). Seems I made a bonehead mistake with my plan. My plan was correct - I had myself finishing up on Thursday - with a big 15+ to end my hike. But, I had told the SQ to pick me up on Friday in NY. So because of this my plan was to get to Vernon and to stay the night.Had a pretty good climb out of the shelter up Pochuck Mountain. Lots of rocks. Since it was still pretty wet from nightime rain, I took my time. Had my rainpaints on because it was really muddy. But, due to the humidity I was sweating like a pig.Went through Pochuck swamp on some boardwalks. I bet teh birding is really good there in the early morning and in the spring.I came into a field and flushed a turkey vulture out of the high grass. She startled me, but it was pretty cool. The turkey vulture is quite a large bird - with a pretty big wing span. They are a lot browner in color than they look when they are flying so high in the sku.I got to NJ 94 by around 11:15. Way too early to stop hiking and I didn't really want to stretch it out and wait around another day.   So, I took a seat on a bucket that someone left in the parking lot and tried to call the SQ. She had decided to take the rest of the week off from work, so I was going to try to pursuade her to come and get me tommorrow. If I hiked on to the shelter today, then I would only have about 10 miles tomorrow. If I left pretty early = she could get me and get back home in time for her golf league. Hey, it was worth a shot.She wasn't home. Left a message. Also, called her cell and left a message. Before I headed to the shelter - I decided to go up the road to a farm stand. Might as well enjoy some time while waiting to confirm with her. Walked up to the farm stand. Nice place. Went in and got a coffee, some donuts, a yogurt, some cow tails (candy - yum), and a cream soda. Proceeded to pork out while waiting for the SQ to call me back. Decided to put a call into the southern support staff. They were driving up from Georgia for a family function. They were somewhere in Virginia. We would both probably make it back to the Berkshires around the same time. Finished up my goodies and got back on the trail by noon. The SQ finally called. We were all set for our rendezvous. Yippee.I promised her that I would get up and get moving before 6.There was another climb up another mountain. Again, not bad - just a lot of rocks. Slowing going. Passed 3 guys taking a break. Said hello and kept on moving. I wasn't really sure exactly where I was at all today. Didn't really jive with the companion. All of a sudden I was at a sign pointing to the shelter. It really did come up on me quick. But, that's OK - I will take it.Saw some good birds today including my first Eastern Kingbird of the season. A yellow warbler, some waxwings, jays, vireo, titmouse, and another bunting. No wildlife today, but I did see some more deer tracks in the mud.The couple from last night (Liz & Eldon - who are now Lizzard and sandlefoot) are here at the shelter. The three guys I passed showed up also.They are just out for the month. They all go to college at Edinborough in Erie. One guy is studying to be a teach. He seemed like a really nice kid. They started 10 days ago at DWG. Must be crawling. Kid said he couldn't stop thinking about food. Pretty funny.2 more guys showed up. Pretty full tonight. Me, the couple and 2 of the 3 guys are staying in the shelter. It will be a pain trying to get out of the shelter without waking them all up. Had to trek again to get water. The water for the shelter was about .4 miles away at a ranger station in a state park. Again, the station was closed, but there was water at a hose at a maintenance garage. Got my water and sat down for a pretty strange dinner.   Since I stopped at the farm stand, I didn't eat my lunch - so I at my lunch for dinner. Tuna wrap, and I finished up my oatmeal supply. Yum.I was ready for bed by 6:30. I laid down and listened to some tunes, but not until I had picked more ticks off my socks.   Damp and cool tonight and it has started to rain again.   I hope tomorrow is nice.