Date: 2004-11-18
From: Rt 17A trailhead, NY

To: Rt 94 trailhead, Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 15.2

15.2 miles todaySleeping in the back of my truckRt 94 trailhead, Vernon, NJ Today was supposed to start earlier because Dolittle was leaving for home after the hike today and she wanted to get an early start. That all changed when it was time for her to wake up. She ended up sleeping in the back of the truck while I drove into town and sent in my journal and got some coffee. She finally got herself up and moving and by the time we were ready to hike, it was 7:45am. It was an overcast morning and very mild...just 42 degrees. It felt nice and warm since there was no wind. Maggie went with me when we started hiking and she was having a ball running all around. I thought Dolittle was right behind me. I covered the first 6 miles in 2 hours even though it was mostly walking on a rocky ridge with a bunch of little 15 to 25 foot ups and downs. That took me to the state line of NY and NJ where I got to say hello to Pamela. I've only got NJ, Pa, Md, WV and about a third of Va left to finish this hike now...getting closer!! I made Maggie lay down and rest while we waited on Dolittle. It took her a half an hour to show up. I can't believe I got 1 1/2 miles ahead of her that quick, but I have been feeling really good again. We stayed there another 10 minutes and when I went to get up off the rocks, I felt stiff. That worked itself out in a few minutes of walking and we were off again. The walking got even easier and it wasn't long before I got to Wawayanda Shelter where I ate lunch. I did see and talk to a bow hunter for a short while just before I got to the shelter. I always enjoy talking to bow hunters and seeing how they've been doing. I don't mind at all being in the woods with them because as a group, they are much safer hunters. I always worry when I come around a corner and see a young teenager with a high powered rifle in his hands. We hiked on to where Dolittle's truck was parked at the trailhead of Rt 94 in NJ. I put Maggie in the back of the truck and since I didn't see Dolittle coming, I walked over to the farm market and got myself a coke. Today ended up being overcast all day long. I saw the sun for about two minutes right at the end of my hike today. I could also feel an increase of humidity in the air. Todays section of trail that I hiked was one of the easiest sections I've been on. This morning was mostly ridge walking and then today was very easy and mostly less than 200 foot elevation changes all day until the very end of the day when I went down a steep drop of about 800 feet. Maggie found an old rotting deer carcass this morning and rolled in it, so she smelled pretty bad all day. I'm glad I'm not the one giving her a bath. It's times like that when it's nice not having a dog. Maggie doesn't know it yet, but her hiking with me is over now. She's going back to being a recliner dog in a heated house. I know she would rather stay out here with me, but Dolittle is supposed to start her job this week. See ya Maggie...it was fun watching you having so much fun on the trail these last 9 days. I got back to my truck and said goodbye to Dolittle and then walked over to a truck nearby that was selling Sabrett hotdogs and got three hotdogs and a coke for dinner. I was on the phone trying to organize plans for this weekend. Rainbow Slick is coming out to hike with me from late Friday through early Sunday. Looks like he'll be just in time for the rain that I hear is coming. I'm also trying to get with Hippie to plan the rest of our hike together. I forgot to mention it yesterday, but I met Dirty Bird at The Gathering last month and I saw an entry from the 16th of November that Dirty Bird had signed in the register in NY. Dirty Bird, is that you or is there another Dirty Bird?? Another great day on the A.T.