Date: 2008-06-03
From: High Point State Park

To: Pochuck Shelter
Miles today: 14.1

Theme of the day: Fragrance and Memories.Today, was an interesting day. Spent time in the woods, went across a lot of open fields, went up and over at least 3 stiles, thru a lot of swamps, and thru the Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge. Definitely diverse terrain.The fragrance was incredible and somewhat over whelming at times. Hay ferns, flowers, tree blossoms.   Very aromatic.   Sweet, flowery, swampy - you name it it seemed to smell.I crossed over lots of roads today. I was contemplating getting off at Lott Road and getting some supplies and to possibly stay at a sorta hostel at an Inn. But as usual with me - I somehow missed it. The next thing I know is that I am crossing 284 which I thought was going to be Lott Road. Don't ask me how it happened. Now, it was on to the shelter.The shelter has no water. There is water .5 miles down the mountain from the shelter at an abandoned house.   I came out onto the road and wasn't really sure where this house was. There was a house up a very long, very uphill drive way. I figured I would schlep up and check it out before I started up the trail. Sure enough I climbed up the drive way and it was the house. The water was a regular outdoor faucet. So, I let it run for a minute and started to fill my camel back. And, would you know it - there was a tick hanging onto the faucet. Gross. I got it off and started over again.   I filled my camel back and then filled my camp canteen. Which is a collapsable container made by Nalgene (2liter).   I put the camel back in my pack and then strapped the Nalgene onto my pack. It weighed a ton. It felt like 45lbs. It was a killer. I just didn't want to wait and come back down to fill them. So, back down to the road I went and found the trail.   And, again as usual - the trail went right by the house.   I wasted time and energy - who knew though.   It ended up taking me a good half hour to make the climb up to the shelter with the extra weight. I didn't see any deer today, but I did see lots of tracks in the mud. I did see some yesterday that I forgot to mention. I did see a woodchuck. It was really cute. He was down the road (in the road) and when I began to cross he stood up on his hind legs and was checking me out.   And, then got back down on all four and ignored me. More birds again today - all the regulars. I did see some type of swan in the refuge which was pretty neat. I had 3 thrus pass me today.   They blew by me like I was standing still and I never saw them again. A young couple did get to the shelter a little after me. They also started at DWG and their plan is to make it to Maine. They are not pushing - just taking their time and enjoying it.   Liz and Eldon. They are from east Tennessee. Just got married about 3 weeks ago. So, their hike is a second honey moon.   They did tell me that they were keeping a journal so I will check it out when I get back.   We were the only ones at the shelter.Today is the 22nd anniversary of my mother's death. Thought a lot about her. Hard to believe it has been that long. She is the reason that I am out here. Not that she ever really hiked or anything. She did love camping and was one of reasons that I love being in the outdoors. She was just short of her 46 birthday when she died. I had wanted to finish the trail by the time I was 46. Not going to happen since I turn 46 this December, but as long as the dream is still alive it is good.Ticks galore out here. I've found lots on my legs and even had to pull one out. From the looks of it - it just got in so shouldn't be a problem. But, it still grosses me out. As with last year, the heat rash on my calfs is really bad. It will probably take a week for it to go away. On to Vernon tomorrow.