Date: 2015-07-18
From: stealth camp norh of Culvers Gap

To: high Point State Park
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: few clouds

Rain came last night, not hard or stormy, but light and persistent. With both of my vestibules open, I had a wonderful current of breeze flow through my tent. Finally I had to close the vestibules I so wouldn't get wet.Today we had some fun plans. JoAnn and Neil, our trail Angels from Port Clinton, were coming to hike with us for a couple of days. We had been communicating with them and they knew where to find us. I was hoping today would be a day of great views, like our first day in New Jersey.When the couple arrived, we still had our tents up, we were attempting to dry them in the breeze. JoAnn and Neil were excited and geared up. Neil had an older frame pack that he referred to as Frankenpack. We all set out together and hiking was lively and fun. We reached the pavilion on Sunrise Mountain and enjoyed Red Robin's couscous and quinoa. Even better the second day! Since meeting her, we have been discussing eating a healthier diet and we decided we would start.....tomorrow. The trail became increasingly rocky after the pavilion.. Ankle twisting, toe stubbing, pace slowing rocks. It became hotter and buggier. Little mosquitos drilled relentlessly into my arms and legs, and apparently they find DEET delicious. As we entered the clearing at Mashipacong Shelter, a man came towards me holding his phone and filming us. I was thinking- what is this crazy dude doing? He was with a woman and they were smiling at us enthusiastically. Next thing I knew, they were hugging d.No and C.Shell,   and C.Shell had tears in her eyes. As it turned out, it was their recently married daughter along with the new son in law. They had been traveling overseas for months and decided to come home and surprise my hiking partners on the trail. They tracked us down via FB posts and truly shocked us all! They were geared up for backpacking and ready for anything.I hiked out with JoAnn and Neil to give the family a chance to catch up. The trail continued with sharp ups and downs and rocks. At one point we took a break and draped ourselves over the rocks, like reptiles, or sat, just being still. Hikers stepped around us.JoAnn was getting a little dehydrated and her feet took a beating. She developed a few blisters and my own blister was exacerbated by the terrain. Neil stayed close to her and encouraged her. "Don't trip and kill yourself " he said."Where else can I find a woman who can ride a street bike at my age?" They are an awesome couple.Chris and Casey- the newly weds- were also saying that the trail was hard- especially with a full pack. Chris hiked off trail to find his car, then hiked back and took JoAnns pack. She had now earned the trail name Goosebumps because her dehydration caused her to get them all over her arms and legs. Neil was named Frankenpack.We hiked to High Point State Park and were thrilled to discover that the concession stand was open late for a concert! We hightailed it to the lake and everyone went to get food. I bumped into Starburst and Gas Monkey and they gave me some watermelon, then some folks sitting nearby offered me grilled corn on the cob and hot dogs. It was so good! With a huge storm moving in and a few miles to a camp site, JoAnn and Neil decided to head home early. They had done 15 miles on very technical terrain, full pack, day 1, and that is pretty amazing. It was fun hiking with them and I hoped they would not be cursing me in the morning when they walked on their battered feet! I felt pretty great most of the day, but I thought back to my first day on the trail No way could I have done a 15 mile day. I would have given up I think, if I had to do that. I wished we had a day with better views , but there were a couple and some pretty flowers. D.No, C.Shell, Casey, Cris. and I drove all over the place and finally found a motel that had a vacancy. It was a no-tell motel kind of place, with people sitting on upholstered furniture on the sidewalk out back. Our room was surprisingly clean and comfy though, and with a couple of beers and a shower, we all felt happy. I slept on my air mattress on the floor and got the best nights sleep I have had in months.