Date: 2014-06-03
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Murray Property
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Just don't stay at Gren Anderson Shelter. It's in a bowl where the air doesn't move, and the sun comes up late which threw me off this morning. I thought it was much earlier than it was. Just move on from here. Stay at the Mashipacong Shelter a few mile onward. That place is up top, and has fresh water from trail angels in the bear box. No need to filter. Clean and grass everywhere.Today was a better day, but still just hiking to get somewhere. I try my best to stay in the moment, but it just isn't happening. Mentally I'm still in that fog/rut. Physically, I now have some odd pain on the top of my right foot that is probably shoe related. However, there is only one way to get to Maine, and that's one foot in front of the other and press on.I can hear the rumblins of a thunderstorm coming and it keeps getting closer and closer, but for a couple hours no precipitation occurs, so I think it just misses me. I had the option to sit in a shelter and wait to see what happens, but I took the gamble thinking nothing was going to happen and pressed on. Within 30 minutes the bottom dropped out and not only did it rain, but the lightning came with it. I had time to put my pack cover on, (which doesn't really do it's job) but I knew my rain gear was buried in my pack and didn't bother to get it. I found a rock ledge to hide under, but it wasn't a complete shield from the rain. My pack stayed dry, and for the most part my upper body and head did as well. But my lower part got drenched. socks, shoes, pants, underwear...soaked. Even a close lightning bolt made it interesting as well, but fortunately it was not a long lasting down pour and I could head on.Soaked, drained, and hurting I come across Highpoint State Park right off the AT. I decide to just stop in, and do some backpack situating, and hopefully dry some stuff off in the bathroom. I walked in and the lady I saw asked if I was a thru-hiker. I wouldn't be rocking this crazy multi-colored beard if I wasn't, I told her. She looked at my funny for some reason, but then said thru-hikers get a free soda for signing the register. Sweet! I'll take it. We only have Pepsi she said...... Sigh...OK....I guess I can't be too picky. I stayed inside this structure, as it looked like it was going to pour again at any second. Was able to charge some of my phone batteries and use the hand drier in the bathroom to air out some clothes. Kinda worked.At some point a couple came in, and I only got the lady's name, it was Joan. They were asking me questions about the AT, the usual stuff that I still don't get tired of talking about. They soon left, but came back about 20 minutes later as I was still sitting inside. Joan said she read something about "trail magic" in a magazine somewhere and wanted to offer some to me. She didn't have any food, but she handed me a $20 to get some food at some point. Wow! Trail magic money! I thanked her, and assured her it would be going to food. Spirits picked up a bit. The trail came through open farms which I love, and the rain cooled things down a bit, even though it was still very humid. I came across a place in my guide book called Murray Property a place where hikers can stay. Didn't have a big write up about it in the book, so I didn't know what to expect, but it was free of cost. So why not check it out, after all it's getting late. What a cool place this was. an open good looking farm with old buildings and shacks. I came across the hiker shelter which was a fully enclosed structure with electricity! They had an outdoor shower, which had hot water, and a well pump for water. Jackpot! the property also seemed to be mosquito free. A few annoying ones here and there, but nothing like the woods. I was the only one at the place, which was fine with me. I stripped down naked and took a shower outside among the birds and trees, and it felt fantastic. I plugged my batteries in for my phone and made dinner on the porch of the structure. I even was in the mood for music as I turned Spotify on with my phone.Mentally I ended up in a much better mood today, physically I was even worse. My legs are just yelling at me to stop, yet will I listen? Either way, I laid on the porch watching the distant lightning strikes, but so far away I couldn't hear them. Pretty nice day indeed, despite the rain.Song of the day, Raindrops are Falling on my Head, -BJ ThomasMovie of the Day, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, "Whats the score? 0-0,Who's winning? The Bears"