Date: 2004-07-22
From: Home of Hank and Laura - Culver's Gap, NJ

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: haze

Indoors or out -- it seems to make no difference ... I awaken before 6 a.m. This morning was the best of both worlds; I awoke to the birds' melodies, but I was inside! Hank needed to be in town at 9:00. So that he need not make an extra trip, I said an 8:30 step on the trail would work well. And so it was. Ursa Minor was thrilled with a morning cup of coffee and a Danish, and I was ecstatic to take with me a fresh banana and an apple! A quick parting at the trailhead kept the tears at bay but I was pretty misty-eyed for the first five minutes. The AT is extraordinary in its beauty, its diversity, its challenge. As close as I am to tears oftentimes, feeling so much a part of this environment, nothing touches my heart more than the kindness extended to me by those I meet. No one here has known me for more than four months and still I feel as though we've known each other all our lives. The friendship bonds form quickly and are strong and solid. I pray they are also life-long.Sixteen miles were planned for today, ending at High Point Shelter, the supposed end of the notorious Pennsylvania rocks. Swan had only one tempo today: presto! No matter how I tried to put on the brakes my legs just kept churning away at high speed. I do believe it was the elation of having two pieces of fresh fruit in my pack!After two miles we came upon Culver Fire Tower. Having just climbed one identical to this yesterday, I was going to bypass it. But I saw two coolers sitting by the stairs -- trail magic? Yes - but it was all gone. Ah well, pack was off, so up I went. Ursa Minor caught up and this time joined me up there as well. When we returned to the ground, I hit the trail running once again.Lunch break occurred early, 11:00, as I reached the Sunrise Mountain Pavilion. The view would have been spectacular had it not been for the haze. But more than the view I welcomed the cooler breeze flowing across the top of the mountain. It was quite humid and hot under the tree canopy. Arriving there a full 30 minutes before Ursa Minor, I stretched out and enjoyed the break. I also savored every bite of the fruit Hank had given me.Thinking lunch would deter me a bit we departed in synch. I was trying desperately to slow my pace and walk with Ursa. It didn't happen. Yet again, the legs started churning and I was off like a rocket. Next stop: Mashipacong Shelter.Ski Bum and Rooster were lounging there already and chastised me for being way too cheerful. The bear box held goodies from Desperado. Knowing we were low on food for the evening I took advantage of the trail magic. Several peanut butter/jelly sandwiches (without the bread -- spoons work great) managed to fill the afternoon's meal void and just maybe, I thought, would make me feel full and lethargic. Nope, that strategy didn't work either.Another pause at the blue-blaze trail leading to Rutherford Shelter, a jaunt to High Point State Park headquarters where we stopped for water, a climb to an observation platform from where on a clear day NYC is visible (not today), and I finally started feeling weary. A short half mile to this shelter completes the 16 miles and I'm duly spent.Mountain Squid is already tenting. The shelter front is obscurred by several tents occupied by middle-school-aged girls. Ursa Minor, Rooster, Ski Bum and I are keeping our distance and are tenting tonight. We've devoured the last of my dehydrated meals from home, filtered water, hung the food and are saying goodnight. Extra caution and care were taken with our food bags as New Jersey bears are a nuisance, very brazen, smart, and hungry. The air is heavy and humid but it¢s been a great day and I¢m expecting to sleep well.