Date: 2010-07-14
From: Pochuck Mountain Shelter

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

~~~The Best Ridge Runner Ever~~~I had made an arrangement with ridge runner Tuit, as in "I'll get tuit" to arrange for a pickup to go to Glenwood to get my maildrops. Little did I know that I would need time off for serious medical rehab.It was raining this morning when I woke up at the usual 0515 (it gets light here really early and the birds, especially the whiporwill's have a union contract to start first thing). So I actually had a very leisurely morning and made coffee for the first time because I didn't want to wake up Tuit so early. It was a Starbucks packet that was given to me by my four wonderful section hikers from Harper's Ferry and five sugar packets that were filtched from a restaurant. Quite good. I did not share with the noisy squirrels. They obviously have had their fair share of caffiene.Called Tuit and he was happy to come get me. We made arrangements to meet off of the side water trail that led to the house with the water spigot (which had perfectly good water) and he actually met me part way up the trail as I only had to go back .5 south. This is the ONLY time that I have backtracked so far and was happy with every step, knowing that I had a ride waiting for me.Took me to the Glenwood Post office where I was, again, so happy to have a vehicle as I had two maildrops with food, one of which was sent up from Wind Gap plus an envelope with my first class mail to go over plus a package that has my digital camera.No one on the trail can do this without support and I owe ALL of mine to my friend Lee who is not only taking care of my mail but my house and pups as well. A true Trail Angel for me ~~~ Hugs ~~~Then, we made our way over to Vernon, NJ, a township that was pretty close and arrived at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church hostel and who do I find sitting at the computer but my beloved Freeman !!! He had stayed over the night prior and was doing the usual internet stuff. It was wonderful to see him and we just hugged each other. Always great to be with Freeman.Then, I gave a big, big hug and Thank You to Tuit. I could not have gone to the Post Office and found my way here without him. What a wonderful ridge runner and Trail Angel. Tuit, I cannot, cannot Thank you enough !!!!!!!So this hostel is really cool. It has a shower, laundry, computer, TV with videos, hiker box and even sells small supplies and fuel. It is within walking distance of multiple stores and restaurants and Reverend Bob, the Pastor, came down in the afternoon to welcome us. Their original church was built in the early 1820's. I will take several photos before I leave to post later. They allow 12 hikers as a max, due to plumbing, the note says. Today we have myself, Freeman, who decided to stay over one more night, the Canadian Geese, Compass and Machete and Patch, who is slightly ill. I have registered to stay over until Friday morning to get the swelling down in my left leg, at least to the point where I can get my foot into my trail shoe and walk.Everone else went out for dinner this evening. I stayed in and kept an ice pack on my leg. Not to worry, though, as Patch brought back a huge leftover box of pasta and told me to help myself; and I did.Of all things, we watched The Thomas Crowne Affair with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Trail life can be so hard, right? Well, one night of this is great to get fresh laundry and a shower but ultimately we are here to go north and while I have to say that I sniffed my warm and clean clothes like they were a bouquet of roses, I am eager to get back to the woods.Time to take two vitamin I and go to bed. Toodles ~~~