Date: 2003-06-23
From: St Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel Zero Day

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 102 Avg Mls/Day 13.3Weather: Summer has arrived, warm, high temp in mid to upper 80's. Light breeze on mountain tops. Warm sun.Today's Nature: Face to face stand off with black bear on Trail. Couple of snakes...one big fat black one. Deer, chipmunks, squirrels and birds.Falls: 1 today, 4 totalToday had a little of everything. No one new came into the hostel last night. Typhoon was the last and was first to leave this morning. I got up around 5:30 and went to the Mixing Bowl for breakfast. They also made me a ham/salomi/cheese sub to pack out for dinner (so I don't have to cook). It took me about 15 minutes to hitch a ride with a very nice young local, Kim. Thanks Kim! I was on the Trail hiking at 7:30. The first mile was an 800' climb up Wawayanda Mtn (1,340'). After that the Trail stayed on a ridge above 1,000' with some rocky 200' or so ups and downs. The mosquitoes weren't as massive as the wildlife refuge the other day, but I put on deet just the same. They stayed off me until I stopped to camp at the end of the day. I am in the tent and they are outside looking in.I did slip on a rock and landed on my butt. Resulted in a cramp in my right shoulder but that went away. No damage done.About 2 hours into the hike, I turned a corner and there was this beautiful black bear coming towards me on the Trail. Between us, both sides of the Trail were covered with thick growth. He stopped, looked at me for 10 - 15 seconds, then slowly turned around and walked out of sight. That's one thing I've noticed about the New Jersey black bear. They don't seem to get frightened and run off immediately, like the ones in Shendandoah NP. On the other hand, they don't seem aggresive. New Jersey has lived up to its reputation for being home to many black bears. At around 11, I stopped and had a snack. My pack, which I had leaned against a rock, fell over letting the water run out of my hydrator. The only time this has happened and on the first really warm day. So, I had to use the Aquamira bottle several times at spring crossings. I got a little "dry mouthed" a couple of times today.About 2:30 or so I ran into Toe Bow just getting up from a nap along the Trail. We had slept in the William Penn Shelter together back on the 9th. We chatted a few minutes and I hiked on.BTW, I had crossed over into New York State for good. The Trail had been running along the border line beteen NJ and NY. Let's see that's NJ, PA, MD, WV, VA, TN, NC & GA...8 States down (still in NY) and 6 to go.Where the Trail crossed NY route 17A, someone had left two gallon jugs of water, some of which I needed. I still was thirsty for some ice cold beverage and it was only 3 o'clock. So, I hitched into Greenwod Lake NY. A very nice lady, Anne took me into the convenience store where I got a nice cold lemonade to go with my sandwich. Thanks Anne! I sat under a tree in a grassy area. Across the street I could see Tow Bow going into another convenience store. After finishing my sandwich, I walked several blocks back to the edge of town for some ice cream...and after that an ice cold Pepsi.As I was trying to hitch a ride back to the Trail, I see Tow Bow walking/hitching my way. He gets a ride and they stop and pick me up too. Rich, a really nice guy, drops us off at the Trail...Thanks Rich!Tow Bow and I are planning to tent at the next shelter which is only a couple of miles further. In about 40 minutes we come upon Goldberry, Orb and L.T. sitting atop a rocky peak enjoying the view. We join them for a few minutes. That's when we see this big fat black snake in the rocks next to us. He doesn't bother anyone. We all hike on to Wildcat Shelter, where everyone cooks dinner but me. Tow Bow and I tent for the night while they go a couple of more miles. Tomorrow, we my get a view of NYC from the Trail.Thought for the Day: It's going to be a warm night (60's) but most of the mosquitoes are outside the tent.