Date: 2013-07-19
From: Stealth camp near Camp Rd

To: Stealth camp on ridgeline 
Miles today: 16.0

I woke up at 5:00 am to do my business, then crawled back into my tent and didn't get up until 6:30. The sun was already high in the morning sky, but I was moving slow. I didn't get on the trail until after 8:00. I just didn't seem to have any pep in my motor. There were some neat ridge walks. It was a smooth sloping rock that allowed for walking AND looking, a novel concept these days. You could see vast forests that seemed to go on forever. There were a few houses and a few small square pastures, but mostly lots and lots of trees. The directions showed there to be several water options, but in actuality, they either weren't marked on the trail (perhaps they were down a side trail?) or they were far from desirable. One stream looked like a stagnant coppery cesspool. I looked down at it disappointment. Is this what was to come in the way of water? I decided to push on in hopes of finding a better source. I came up to a road crossing, and I heard some cackling. I saw a car, and it sounded like someone was having a good-ole time. When I got closer, I saw a florescent green poster board with "Munch & Go Caf©" hand-written in black marker. At the bottom, it was signed "Hunterdon Hiking Club." TRAIL MAGIC! Two ladies and a gentleman greeted me was a surge of excitement. They asked if I was a thru-hiker. I answered, yes. They ushered me over to the picnic table. I dropped my pack. They asked if I wanted a hamburger, hot dog, veggie versions of either, a cold drink, cookies or fresh fruit. It was only 10:30 am, but I happily accepted a hot dog, which they threw on the grill for me, along with a bottle of cold water and a Gatorade. Snotrocket and Northstar were also sitting at the table with grins on their faces. I've still not completely come to terms with the fact that strangers get excited to meet dirty, homeless, unemployed hikers, and they treat us like royalty. It's a bit surreal, even after 1300 miles. It seems in society, we can be so clannish, and yet out here, generosity towards humankind seems to flow as freely as a breeze. Thank you, New Jersey and Hunterdon Hiking Club for your warm welcome!I soon passed another lake, but this one was covered in lily pads- neat to look at, but not appealing to swim in. Too bad. There were a few rock scrambles and rocky areas, but mostly you could walk without enduring too much pain. There were long areas of smooth, flat, soft trail. I don't think I'll ever be able to take such trail for granted again! There were several balds with flat slabs of rock and accessorized with blueberry bushes just begging to freed of their fruit. I did my best. The berries were sweet and plumb and popped between my teeth. I stopped at Blue Mountain Lakes Road. There was a large group of teenage age girls. They all had braids and were all wearing a bandana. I wondered if they had a dress-code. They were part of a YMCA summer camp, out of a hiking and canoeing trip. I took up a rock nearby to have lunch. There was a fresh water pump that I had full intentions of taking advantage of. Water in NJ is tricky!After lunch I ran into another SOBO section hiker, Kamakazi. She gave me some details of the trail to come. Rocks were in the forecast. Ugh. I hate rocks. After our visit, the day just seemed to start dragging. I'm not sure if it was the heat or the bugs or 1300 miles, but I just couldn't seem to cover any ground. My left foot and hurting, and my right knee decided to join the party. Even something in my right hip-flexer seemed cramp up. Ugh. It's as if my body parts are fighting over which part can be the most cantankerous. I crossed a rocky, exposed ridge that was named Rattlesnake Mountain. I didn't see any rattlesnakes, but there was a hand-written sign on the ground with the words "RATTLESNAKE" scribbled and the time. It was 7 minutes later. Great. I picked through the rocks, but if there were any snakes, they didn't show themselves, and that was fine with me. I stopped by the shelter to get some water. The spring was cold, but it was difficult to collect water in my water sleeves. The mosquitoes took the opportunity to eat me alive. OMG. It was already 6:00 pm, and I had only covered 14.1 miles. I wasn't going to make it as far as I had hoped. But I still wanted to push a bit farther, so I took my 5 L of water and hiked on. I hiked another hour and I came out on to a ridgeline. There was an awesome view down towards Branchville and Kittatinny Lake. I could see the sun started to change into its evening wear, and I knew I didn't have much energy (or blood) left. I found one flat area with the grass that had been pressed down. It looked suspiciously as if a bear had traveled through the area, but I figured they had already gotten the berries and bugs it wanted, so I was probably safe. There were several large piles of fresh-ish bear poo to support my theory. I set up my tent, hung the bear rope and walked out to one of the flat slabs of exposed rocks, facing out towards the town and lake, and I cooked dinner. The wind was blowing, so that helped with the mosquitoes, only the best fliers managed to land on my skin. They were promptly net with death. Splash stopped by, and we talked and watched someone setting fireworks in the valley below. But being above them and seeing them set against the dark trees rather than the sky, it was an interesting change of perspective. The moon, already well into the sky, glowed its orange glow. the crickets chirped and sang to each other. The breeze rustles the sides of my tent. I'm tired, but not exhausted. My motivation, or better yet, my enthusiasm for this adventure is starting to wane. I'm dirty, sweaty, covered in Deet. The mosquitos and gnats only seem to add to my dis-enchantment. I really think I need to start camping near people to help with the evening and morning blues.