Date: 2021-05-21
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Unionville, NJ
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Was woken around 9:30 last night by voices from the shelter about 30 yards away. They didn¢t converse long and I didn¢t hear anyone hatching plans to rob and kill me, so I went back to sleep. (Mostly). Only other incident was someone screaming something from the nearby road about 12:30am then the sound of a car peeling out and racing away. Lovely. I usually get my next day¢s water the night before, but I went back to to spring this morning to get another two liters to cover another dry 13 miles. I did see that two thru hikers were sleeping in the shelter, explaining the voices. I was trail walking by six o¢clock and sweating by 6:05. I did have a stroke of genius (about six weeks late, but still, genius) when I remembered I had a head net to stave off bugs that worked wonderfully to stave off spider webs. I looked like a fool, but was blessedly silk free!I was taking a breather at Leg Four of the EINJC (privy at the Mashipacong Shelter is painted pink inside, like the visitors locker room at Iowa¢s football stadium) when a hiker rolled in. Turns out this was Punisher, who along with Bopit has been hiking since Jan 1st. They started in Key West, Fl and are hiking the Eastern Continental Trail towards Nova Scotia which is over 5500 miles!  They¢ve already done 3500 miles since starting. Mind blowing. They met last year on the Pacific Coast Trail and hatched this plan. They generally hike 30-35 miles per day like a couple of hikers perfected in a lab. I hiked with Punisher for a short while and honesty, I don¢t know how some hikers can seemingly throw themselves downhill and their feet find good tread. I¢ve tried, and whatever it is I lack - vision, confidence, shoes, luck, skill - I just end up with turned ankles and sore feet. I just went on my merry, slow, plodding way. I did catch up to them later when they took a break and they told me that a hiker hostel in Unionville was holding a community cook out tonight - hikers invited. I called the hostel and was told by Doug (thru hiker in 2013) that they had four beds and were a first come - first served hostel. I didn¢t like my chances to get a bed, given I was still 10 miles away. But, I deceived to see what happened. Two miles shy of town was the Secret Shelter, a privately owned place where hikers could camp for free and also the home of Jake the Donkey (visiting was another leg of the EINJC). I did the short side trail and there was Jake (pic above) and also the owner doing some work on the place. Jake gave me the once over and then went back to eating grass. The owner asked if he could borrow my phone as his car had broken down in the driveway and he didn¢t have cell service. I obliged and drank some nice well water while he called for assistance. When I got to town I turned right to the local bar and got a drink (vodka and 7 up - too hot for a beer. Then went into town and got a slice of pizza (Easy had listed the bar, the pizza place, and the general store) then continued on to the hostel. Much as I guessed, the hostel was full for the night, but Pastor Doug (preacher as well as former thru hiker) invited me back for the cookout at 6:30. He did tell me I looked pretty happy and that my hike must be going well  I assured him I was and it was and that I¢m just rolling with whatever God presents to me  Back into town to register at the general store to camp in the town park for the night. I had checked it out and my only hammock option was to attached one end to a chain link fence and the other to a tree - and right underneath the park¢s arc light. This is fine. As I sat on the porch drinking a vitamin water and eating a granola bar, Punisher came up to get ice for the Pastor¢s cook out. He told me he and Bopit weren¢t going to stay at the hostel after all as Bopit had a friend coming into town to meet them. I quickly called Doug back and he said the last bed was mine. This is what I call trail magic. An hour later I was showered and wearing  an ill fitting track suit (loaner clothes) while doing laundry. About 35 people showed up for the cook out and I had a good time chatting with hikers, church members, and neighbors. Could not have come at a better time!Turning in a bit late as there are still people outside s¢moreing it up. Not going to push too hard tomorrow as the rocks are still taking a toll on me. Have a great weekend!