Date: 2016-06-01
From: Highpoint State Park, NJ

To: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: thunderstorm with rain

Day 4214.1 miles in 9 hoursHighpoint State Park, NJ (1336.1) to Pochuck Mtn. Shelter, NJ (1350.2)Weather: 70s, sunny, breezy, nice!Wildlife: Deer, turtle, second wood tick, dead black rat snake, alive garter snakeDinner: Yucky cheddar macaroni pasta side with veggie soup mixHikers: Dysfengshunal, Stretch and three SOBO section hikersNumber of falls to date: ThreeThe predicted storms never completely materialized during the night and it dawned a perfect hiking day. After eating leftover Chinese food for breakfast, we were ready to head back to the trail by 7:30¢¦but there was a slight mix-up about our shuttle. We had to wait almost an hour longer and it just about killed me. The cavalier New Jersey motel manager more or less told us to ¢fagetaboutit.¢Not sure if was due to a short hiking day yesterday or because today was so gorgeous, but I think it was mostly due to the trail. Almost all 14.1 miles were what I'd finally consider a real trail. None of this alternating beds of hard and soft Paleozoic sedimentary rocks folded like the wrinkles in a kicked throw rug. Or walking on ill placed cobbles. Yesterday Highpoint State Park was socked in by fog and mists. Today the vistas were clear. I could clearly see the 220¢ tower from the observation platform. With the exception of slipping on a boulder heading out of the state park (third fall to date, but I caught myself from a complete wipeout), the trail was smooth and meandered along more rock walls and streams, aside ponds, through fields and around a wildlife preserve. This was the first day in a long time where I could look up and not worry about stumbling (first misstep not withstanding). There was nice breeze the entire time and the humidity was much, much lower. Even though my AT mileage was 14.1, I actually hiked closer to 16. Yesterday¢s goal originally was the Murray property¢a beloved secret shelter hosted for over 20 years by a former through-hiker. There is well water, several out buildings and a shower. I wanted to see it and I wanted to replenish my water. A few miles later was the village of Unionville, New York that had two food stores. I needed to resupply the food I missed from my mauled drop. The general store was nice. It had a deli, ice-cream and hiker food, but I honestly do not know how thru-hikers resupply from these places on a regular basis. I stared blankly at the Knorr's Pasta Sides trying to find something that would be appealing and mixed with something else. I miss my recipes. My next drop is coming next week. I had an egg-salad sandwich, orange juice and an ice-cream bar for lunch while I recharged my phone. From Unionville, the trail followed roads. Meh. It then circled the Wallkill Wildlife Refuge, which was a little tedious¢but hey, no rocks. Had to carry water the last .5 miles up Pochuck Mountainous the shelter, which was about the most taxing thing about today¢s hike. The water source was a spigot from the back of a vacant house¢a little creepy, but then again, it didn't need to be filtered. Millipede Update: So, interesting information. Turns out that the giant millipede releases toxins as a defense mechanism, like when it gets sat upon. The harmful toxins include:¢¢        Hydrochloric acid¢¢        Hydrogen cyanide¢¢        Organic acids¢¢        Phenol¢¢        Cresols¢¢        Benzoquinones¢¢        Hydroquinones (in some millipedes)And if the millipede toxin gets on the skin, symptoms may include:¢¢        Staining (skin turns brown)¢¢        Intense burning or itching¢¢        BlistersYup.