Date: 2009-07-19
From: Culver's Gap Campsite, NJ

To: Observation Platform
Miles today: 15.3

Last night the mosquitos were insane! Everyone agrees, it's unlike anything we have ever seen. It started around the first shelter in NJ and hasn't let up yet. At any given moment you have multiple mosquitos on you. Our spray doesn't phase em' and they can get you through your shirt.The rain continued through the night and morning. Berry and I packed up everything in our tents this morning doing our best to avoid the mosquitos. We stuffed our wet tent and hit the trail as fast as we could. The rain stopped but we were wet. The trail was pretty overgrown and the wet weeds and tall grass soaked our feet. After hiking 1.9 miles we made it to a fire tower on top of a mountain with a nice clearing and sunshine. We used this location as an opportunity to set up our tent again and let it air-dry, ring out our wet socks and lay our shoes in the sun.We climbed the tower and sat on one of the platforms in the wind (with no bugs!). We read and talked in the sunshine, enjoying the view while everything dried out. Nature joined us after a short while on the tower and did the same thing with her tent. Shortly after, One Step and Android came by and followed suit. All and all we were at the tower for nearly 2 hours.Our next stop was 1.5hr later at sunrise mountian. On top of the mountain there was a large pavilion. We saw Coolio there and decided to take an early lunch break and visit with him. Also in the pavilion was a group of men who were having a religious gathering. They were chanting and humming for a long time. Occasionally they would stop and be silent.... we would whisper while visiting with one another. It wasn't long before Android and Nature joined us for a break. At this point we had all gone just over 5 miles and it was noon. Needless to say, we were all feeling the lazy bug today!Our next break was about 2 hours later at the next shelter where we again met Coolio. Being that it was Saturday and we had excellent cell sevice we took the opportunity to catch up with some friends- Congratulations Anthony and Ashley- a new baby is on the way!While we were there, Moe, Otter, Android and Nature all showed up and, once again, we took a long break. After that, Otter headed out with us and we walked another 2 hours. We did manage to take break #4 to snack and watch a bunny eat berries. From there we made it to High Point Ranger Station where we took another break and cooked a meal with Android and Nature. While we were there several locals came by. One gentleman named, Jersey Dan, was a former thru-hiker in the 90's. We talked for a while and he filled us in on the area and stuff to look for ahead. Tomorrow he might give us a ride into Vernon for resupply.From the Ranger Station we moved on, but only one mile. The smell of a cookout and the sound of live music perked our intrest. It was driving us crazy because we could hear everything but couldn't see the event. Eventually we came to an observation platform with an amazing view. We are parked here for the night and waiting for a beautiful sunset. Otter just left to go find the music and food- he will join us back at the platform shortly. Just beyond the platform we are seeing the NJ High Point Monument which looks exactly like DC's Washington Monument, only a little shorter.The mosquitos have been bad today but they are not bothering us now. The best part of today was taking long breaks with other hikers...it was a very relaxed day.