Date: 2011-07-15
From: Campsite

To: Jim Murray Property
Miles today: 17.9

A screech owl woke me shortly after midnight. It took me a few times hearing it to identify what was making all that racket. I didn't go right back to sleep; I read for about 30 minutes. I started a new book a couple of nights ago, 'A Game of Throns: A Song of Fire and Ice'. I like it so far but I've been so tired I've not been reading like I had been in the past fee weeks.It was windy again last nigt and chilly. I used my bag as a blanket and was comfortable. Needs my jacket this morning. What amazes me is how vicious the NJ mosquitos are; it was chilly and windy and I still was bitten at least 6 time while packing up. I couldn't get the bug spray out quickly enough and some of them are so nasty they land andbite even with the spray.Ah, well, it was still a pretty morning. I got an early start and wa able to enjoy the woods coming awake. Not as much birdsong here. I wonder if it's the windy mornings.To celebrate 100 days on the Trail I touched the first 100 blazes I passed. On #12 I took a pic of me kissing the blaze and #23 I took a pic of the AT sign and blaze. It was something to do! I also took a couple of pics from the Pavilion - another place in NJ wih an almost 360 view. Pretty with he clouds stuck in the valley.So, I'm bopping along, trying to not be annoyed at how slow I'm moving because of the rocks and I get attacked by a swarm of mosquitos. In my effort to get away from them I ended up going down the wrong trail; at the intersection with the red trail I went that way. It was probably close to 2 miles in before I became conscience of my error. I was totally thinking of other things and not paying attention. Then nothing looked familiar when I turned around. I probably wasted at least an hour being lost. I stopped, took a deep breath and prayed. After a few minutes I continued down the Trail and things started to look familiar. I finally came to the intersection and realized how I made my mistake. All is well that ends well. I got back on course and hiked on.I had planned to go to the beach and concession stand for ice cream to celebrate 100 days. When I made the logistics error I figured it wod be too late but I hit the path shortly after 13:00 so I went down. Glad I did. Very nice people: let me charge my phone, they have a hiker board to sign and would have filled my water if needed. Ni had a chilli-cheese dog (I know!), fries and a Klondike bar. Glen was there, we chatted for a bit.Oh! The best thing about being lost was I saw a bear! Yep, a yearling, very cute. It ran off soon as it saw me.The rest of the day was pleasant. The rocks were not as prolific - there are lots of stone walls in the woods! I walked thru some farm country; watched a farmer baing hay in those big round bundles. I'd never seen that before - interesting. Met the local ridge runner, Hiking Viking; he remembers Moonshine (MD ridge runner) from training classes.LL would have enjoyed the walk this afternoon except for the huge hill right before Jim Murray's property. Wow! I'm hoping the terrain is good the next couple of days for her hike. It'll be fun either way though.Jim Murray's property and cabins are great! The property is beautiful. Flame and I camled way up the hill from the buildings in the hopes no one wil hike up here and it will be quiet. I'm drove us up here...thanks! Great view! The outdoor hot-water shower felt wonderful.Ok, I'm tired.I'm thankful for stopping and trusting in the Lord to help me out today!Hike on!Scribbles