Date: 2015-08-05
From: Morgan Stewart Sherlter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up early and refreshed. I didn't take the Benedryl this morning, just the steroid before breakfast. I was soon packed up and on the trail headed down the mountain to Old Route 55. The hike was a wonderful one to Nuclear Lake which sounded like a wonderful place to take a swim, knowing its history. I got off the trail to relieve myself and found 3 abonded trailers of some sort. They had been abandoned for at least 50+ years so I took pictures. I crossed a long footbridge across a marsh and up West Mountain and down to the Telephone Pioneers Shelter where I stopped in for a break. The views were incredible and I saw the largest Oak Tree on the Appalachian Trail on the nort side of County road 20. Climbing from the road the trail crosses a large field where I met a father and his 3 sons who were section hiking south. I gave them the trail names of the 3 musketeers. Porthos, Aramis and Athos. They accepted them gladly and said that they would wear them with pride. After crossing a large boardwalk and a river I arrived at the AT train station to NYC! I didn't feel like going to the big apple so I took a picture and went to the Garden Store right next door. I bought something to eat and drink and rested in the pavilion while charging my devices (after asking permission). I was saddened to hear that a drunken hiker had caused them to close camping for hikers. Its sad that a few people will ruin the good that people are trying to do for the hiking community. Hiking to the Wiles shelter was an enjoyable experience. We hiked around a lake along a great trail ending at this shelter. I passed the largest oak on the AT with a diameter of over 6'. I passed the AT train station right on the trail with a stop in NY. At the nursery where hikers misbehaving, caused the camping to be closed for hikers on the trail. Then it was across the street and up the hill across fields where I met two women and a little girl. The little girl asked question after question and bragged how she and her mother hiked all the time! I received trail magic from a couple with a Dalmation Spotted Great Dane in the form of beef jerky and granola bars and in return I regaled them with tales from the trail which they enjoyed. Hammer's Ridge was a decent climb and I passed a myrid of colored coded trails branching off to either side of the AT. I was surprised when I came around the corner and found the shelter on trail. I quickly got set up in the shelter and went to find the water source which was supposed to be a hand pump. It was and I found a tiny library on my way there! It looked like an oversized birdhouse with a glass front that you could open and take or leave a book! I thought that it was awesome and would return after cleaning up and getting water. This had to be the coldest water I had encountered on the trail thus far! I very quickly washed up and cleaned up my clothing before heading back to sit by the fire. I made dinner and sponsored a safety meeting before heading to the tiny library to check it out. I didn't see anything that I had to have but just appreciating that someone cared enough to provied this for the hiking community. I was so tired and soon went to bed and my iPod before sleep overtook me.