Date: 2014-06-12
From: Unionville, NJ Town Park

To: Warwick Turnpike, NJ
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

I woke to light rain for the 4th straight day. I packed in my tent and took down my tent in the rain. My plan was to make Warwick in time to go to the Verizon store and get my phone repaired or replaced. I headed out before 7 and noticed the country store was open. I stopped in and got a egg and cheese sandwich. All the ingredients came from a local bakery this morning and from local farms. It was great. I walked for an hour or so and came to Wallkill reserve, a huge wetland. It was also a mosquito haven. I had to stop and take a DEET bath and they still were getting me through my clothing. Fortunately, it was flat and I could outrun most of them. I re-entered the forest and it was a wetland there also. There were boardwalks twisting and turning through the forest.I really wished I had my camera but my phone is my camera. I soon crossed a road and found more boardwalk. This one was elevated a few feet above the marsh and was a treat to spend a mile or so on such nice terrain. I encountered a southbound hiker. I said I hope you are heading south. We laughed and he said I am. He then told me to enjoy the boardwalk because that mountain over there is steep and rocky. I said what mountain and we laughed again. The visibility was 200 feet for the 4th straight day. He said it was slow going and a tough section. I said it is what it is. That is pretty much how I view the trail these days. There were days when I cursed it, but I have made peace with it and I just take what it dishes out now. 30 minutes later I was making my way up the boulder-filled mountain known locally as the stairway to heaven. I enjoyed the light rain and cool weather while I climbed. I'm pretty sure the temperature has not been above 65 this week. After a steep descent, I began to think about getting to Warwick to get my camera and phone fixed. I found the number of a shuttle in town but had no way to call. I came upon Grey Jay. I had seen him a few times in the past. I ask if I might get a favor. He said what's that? I told him of my phone issue and said I was trying to find a shuttle to pick me up so I could make it to Warwick in time to get my phone repaired and could I use his phone. He said No, I don't think so. I said thanks anyway and hiked on. I was surprised, out here hikers are like family and help each other. I guess somewhere in there is a lesson for me. I made my way to Warwick Turnpike. It is in NY and hitchhiking is illegal there but I was 5 miles from town and took the risk. I soon found a ride and was dropped off at the door of the Verizon store. Another trail angel. It took 5 hours, but I walked out with a new phone. I tried to call the shuttle many times and never got an answer. Since I closed the store one of the guys offered to give me a ride to a hotel. It was after 8 pm. He dropped me off 6 miles down the road at Vernon Inn and drove off after giving me his number and offering me a ride back Saturday morning. Vernon Inn was not an Inn anymore. It was a restaurant and tavern. Someone who was outside smoking asked if I were hiking and I told him I was. He said other hikers were inside. I went in to meet them. I didn't know any of them. They said they were staying at a hostel a few blocks away and there was plenty of room. I guess it's true. The trail does provide. I walked over to the St Thomas Episcopal Church in Vernon NJ and found I could have a place on the carpeted floor, a hot shower, do laundry, have a place to dry everything out and relax on a couch or recliner for a $10 donation to the church. I returned to the inn and ate dinner and then came back to the church and fell asleep on my pad in my dry (almost) sleeping bag. Today I am grateful for all the people that built those boardwalks in the mosquito preserve