Date: 2019-07-29
From: Mashipacong Shelter 

To: Stealth Camping Site-Farmers Field
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

I started out tired today and missing home, family, and friends. I didn¢t expect the PA rocks to just end at the state line, and they haven¢t but they have gotten better. I walked for about 6 miles before I got to High Point State Park where the highest point in NJ is. I stopped at the headquarters and if you sign the book you get a free soda. I saw a guy there named Jarhead. I haven¢t seen him in months. He said he was hiking with High Gear. I also have not seen him in months. He was meeting him in 20 miles. There was no way I was doing 20 miles. I also met a guy from Korea who started June 1. He¢s doing 30+ a day!!! I refueled and recharged there. I also made plans for the night. My next stop was Unionville for resupply and lunch. On the way I met my 1st true southbound hikers. I was walking toward the highest point on the AT in NJ and I could hear kids yelling and I could see a lake. I could also smell hotdogs cooking. The trail never brought me near the lake or hotdogs. I did see some wild hens though. I was walking downhill at one point and I came across a true switch back. I haven¢t walked a switch back in what seems like months. It made me smile. I made it to the road crossing for Unionville. There were a bunch of hikers around a truck they whistled and I waved hello and ask if I was going the right direction to town. They said yes. They whistled again and offered me a ride. Jarhead was in the group. He said they were going another 12, I couldn¢t do another 12. Sunshine¢s parents gave me a ride to town where I resupplied and then went to the Wits End for lunch and hydration. As I was approaching I noticed the parking lot was pretty full for 2pm on a Monday. I was setting my pack outside and I could hear loud talking and F¢bombs from inside. I walked in and there was a long L shaped bar. Every bar stool was taken except 3 seats on the short end of the L near the door. I sat and order a beer and a burger. The loud talking was just that, loud talking and one guy who liked to drop the F¢bomb. Food was good and I was looking at the mileage chart. The arrangements I made for the nights stay were 12 miles away not 2!! I let them know I would not be coming. I met a hiker there named High Tower. Now time to regroup and find a spot to stay. The next shelter is 5 miles away-2.5 hours. It¢s now 530. I started walking and said if I could find a good stealth spot I¢d stop. In NJ you are only supposed to camp in designated spots or near shelters, in other words only near shelters. I found a great spot in a hay field with an eastern view. I was hesitant but I set up there. Worst case scenario I get woken up and have to move. Best case, sleep like a baby and get a great sunrise. So a side note on bugs, and I hate to say any of this. I have not used bug spray but once this whole trip. I get set up and in my tent before mosquitoes get crazy. I have only seen one tick and that was yesterday. The gnats are bad at times. I hear them by my ears. If I don¢t bat at them they fly in front of my face. If I don¢t immediately bat at them they dive bomb my eyes. I don¢t understand. Not one gnat has made it into my eye and survived. What is it about my irresistible, sweet eye nectar they just can¢t stay away from? One will never know?. Wildlife update: Squirrels, Cows, frogs, and chipmunks. Why is it that I can kill mice, mosquitoes, gnats, spiders....But I accidentally step on a baby frog yesterday and I still feel bad?!?