Date: 2015-07-10
From: Stealth Camp at Mile 1328.0

To: Unionville Municipal Park
Miles today: 17.1

New Jersey is a delightful trail state and Unionville is the best trail town ever! Seriously though, today I saw why people like to hike through New Jersey. I woke up a few times during the night, always to the sound of rain, but when it was time to get up, there was just a fairly strong wind blowing. And that was a good thing because a) it helped dry things out and b) it kept the bugs at bay. Not to mention that it cooled us down while hiking.Pony Puncher and I left camp at 6:45 and covered the first 1.6 to the shelter where Southpaw was pretty quickly. She was still in her tent but caught us shortly after. We all marveled at the low humidity and enjoyed the hike. Also, views! But our main goal for the morning was to get to High Point State Park. Snores had told us yesterday that if you go the headquarters (which the trail passes) and tell them you are a thru-hiker, they give you a free soda. I was highly skeptical but it was true! Also, while there are no trash cans in this State Park and people are supposed to pack out their trash, there was a trash can just for thru-hikers to unload their trash! They like us, they really, really like us! We actually met Snores there again, as well as a nice woman with her two kids who was asking us questions about our hike. The girl, who was maybe 7, was agog when she learned we had all started in March. A mile from the headquarters was the real prize of the park; Marcia Lake, with free showers and (the most important part) a concession stand. On the way there we climbed a platform from where you had a great view of the tower they built to mark the highest point. It looks just like the Washington Monument.Once at the lake, we quickly plugged all our phones into the only outlet we could find and ordered our first round of food (burgers). We all decided we needed more food, so we ordered another round but by now the swimming crowd was ready for lunch also and everything took a very long time. The lady running the stand was undaunted though and kept cheerful and nice as before, I was impressed.Here as well, people were supposed to carry out their trash (handy bags were provided) but the ranger said 'oh, you're hikers, we'll take care of it for you'. I love New Jersey! We spend a couple of hours there and hadn't even showered but it was time to move on. During our first round we had chatted some with a local who was out with his son for a bike ride. He has hiked the New Jersey section a bunch of times and gave us the scoop on the next few miles. Rick, it was nice to meet you and your son, thanks for the water and your info was spot on!As Rick had told us, after we passed High Point shelter, only a mile or so down the trail, most of the rest of the day would be flat. It was true and we made really good time. There were a couple of small bumps and some rocks and some mud, but overall this was really easy going. There was a long section on big board that had the feel of going through the jungle, it was very cool.Southpaw and I got to the road that we would take into Unionville and started the .7 mile road walk. Pony Puncher was going to meet Food Truck who came back today, and they were going to a hotel somewhere. Unionville lets hikers camp in the park behind the town office and it's one of my nicest camp sites yet. Nice level ground, plush grass, I bet I'll sleep well. We had dinner at the local pizza joint while hammering out a plan for the next few days. It is a little on the insane side, so I'm not divulging. I am writing this from the porch of the general store, where I will get a breakfast sandwich at six am sharp, before heading to Vernon, 10.7 )plus .7) down the road. One of the commenters has kindly offered to shuttle me into town there for resupply and then I'm hoping to get back on the trail. But first I am going to enjoy this awesome New Jersey sleeping weather!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?