Date: 2007-06-29
From: High Point State Park (NJ23), NJ

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What I thought was going to start out as a nice clear day with the passing of a cold front turned into an overcast, drizzly day. It wasn't too bad, hough. The weather forecast called for the conditions to improve throughout the weekend. Then again the temperature remained cool with highs in the lower 70s and lows in the 50s.About twenty minutes after I started hiking this morning, I approached the same "homeless guy" that I ran into just a few days ago. He's definitely going northbound, and he is uncomfortable around people. I said, "Good morning" to him and he just nodded his head up and down in quick succession. I noticed what looked like three plastic grocery bags worth of food north of him that he carried ahead of him and now he was back down the trail next to his blue backpack and two black vinyl hand bags and getting ready to carry them up the trail again. So he basically is doing twice the mileage of the rest of us in an attempt to carry all of his stuff. I really don't think that he's hiking the trail, but I don't know his motivation is and I'm not inclined to ask. Not to make light of his situation, but maybe he's taking the phrase, "Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house (he) goes," quite literally. Another hiker said that his name is Alexander. Moving on through the park, I discovered that it was still rocky, like Pennsylvania, but not for too long. The High Point State Park also has what looks like a replica of the Washington Monument. You can see the 220 foot structure for miles since it was built on New Jersey's highest point, and I'm sure that you can see for miles if you decided to go inside and climb up in it. There is also a wooden platform about thirty feet high, right on the Appalachian Trail that will allow you to view the New York city skyline, according to the High Point State Park visitor's guide. Today, unfortunately, the overcast skies reduced visibility and any chance of seeing New York city.In a few more miles, I craved a mid-morning snack of peanut M&Ms. I hiked along, popping a few into my mouth every so often. About the time that I was nearing the end of the king-sized bag, one fell on the ground. Knowing that I might have depleted my supply of M&Ms for a few days, I paused at the sight of one, lone, blue, peanut M&M lying on the ground. Should I pick it up? I stared at it on the ground. I was still within the five-second rule - which increases to perhaps one minute out here in the hiking community. I really wanted one more M&M. I was still hungry, but I let it be since the trail was going through cow pastures. I reached into my pocket for something else to munch on.The next landmark of the day was Jim Murray's "secret shelter." I heard about this place, but didn't know that a privately operated shelter could be such a great place to stay. This shelter had electricity, lights, a fan, and two showers with hot water. I only stopped by for a break and to take a look inside, but I'd certainly recommend it to other hikers.I met another section hiker today named Tip Toe. She told me about Unionville, New York, just a couple of miles up the trail. I stopped there around lunch time for a bagel sandwich at Unionville Bagel Bakery and a quick stop inside the general store to stock up on peanut M&Ms.From what I read on the sign at the bagel bakery, the mayor of Unionville welcomes hikers to his home for a shower and to do laundry. All you have to do is to call him at the number listed on the flyer. Hikers are also welcome to set up their tents in town and stay for free, as well.A short distance out of Unionville, the trail follows an old, abandoned railroad bed and then out to the Walkill River. I stopped at the river for water, but was uncertain about it's quality based upon it's appearance and the visible runoff in it from the recent heavy rains. A young couple named Matt and and Megan, who arrived with their kayaks, warned me that this river was not a good source and could be contaminated. I later found a faucet at an abandoned house that was designated for hikers to use and replaced the river water there.Tomorrow, Saturday, I'm going to be in Vernon, New Jersey where I'll stay at a church hostel. I will do laundry and get a hot shower. It will be a short hiking day, but that will be a nice break for me.I am at the Pochuck Mountain shelter tonight with Climber and Knifey-Spooney, from Bristol, England.Chronologically, there are a few other minor events and thoughts that I have about today, but I need to get a few more things done and then get to bed.