Date: 2007-07-15
From: High Point Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 20.0

After being chewed alive by mosquitos last night, I woke up at five thirty just to escape the never ending assault on my face from the little blood suckers.I ate a quick breakfast knowing that I would be stopping in Unionville, a very friendly trail town. I made good time passig thru mostly farm fields and country roads. After a small climb, I walked ino Unionville and saw Mino hanging out in front of the country store. We went down to the bakery and ordered a few bagel sandwiches and hung out for awhile. Mino and I had a lot in common. Besides being married with kids, which always makes for good conversation, we both were or in my case had been Social Workers. We talked a lot about education, different learning modalities and how many kids slip thru the cracks. This topic has come many times on my journey. After a good sandwich and a cup of coffee I had to get moving. Mino was done hiking for the day and was waiting for a postal package.   Just as I was leaving the bakery I had the chance to meet the Mayor of Unionville. What a down to earth guy. From what I was told the Mayor and his wife wanted to help hikers passing thru so they decided that any hikers who needed a shower or clothes washed could go to his house and do so. Sadly, the mayors wife passed away a few years ago but the mayor promised to keep helping hikers passing thru on their way to Maine or else where. I really wish that I could have spent more time in Unionville but the trailed beckoned. After leaving Unionville I entered a large, swampy, wildlife preserve. I ran into a few groundhogs munching away on grass and kept a close eye on the thunder clouds moving in from the West. It had been warming up all day which usually results in some serious rain showers later in the day. The showers caught me around three o'clock just as I entered into another fresh water bog area. The rain felt good but boy was it coming down. I eventually made it to the main road leading to Vernon, New Jersey where I would be staying for the night. Just up the road was a garden center/fruit stand that also sold ice cream. I took off my shoes and socks and attempted to dry them out. The sun had come out after the storm and I wasted no time trying to dry off. I was surprised to see J-beard and his brother Mangrove relaxing in front of the store. They told me that they had gotten off the trail to visit their parents and to get treatment for J-beard who had lyme disease. After talking for awhile and eating some fresh fruit (cherries and two plums) we parted ways. I still had to catch a ride into Vernon and J-beard and Mangrove were going to camp up the trail a bit. I was able to get a ride to the church hostel in Vernon where I ran in to John and Jim, two other thru hikers. They showed me around the place and I was able to wash my clothes and get a shower. Afterwards, I walked up to the local grocery store to resupply and buy some supper. With my twelve pack of fried chicken and a liter of Coke, I headed back for the hostel. I called Carissa to check in and figure out when I would be in CT. With all my errands complete I finally had time to relax before calling it a night.   Hi guys- I love you all and miss you. Me