Date: 2016-06-24
From: High Point Shelter

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

So New Jersey is the land o' chipmunks... I probably see hundreds every day. They squeak when you're 10 feet away and they dash to their closest hole. Unsurprisingly, most of them sound like chipmunks running through the underbrush, and yet some of them sound like polar bears careening through the forest. Is there any greater shame than being startled by chipmunks? If there is I haven't found it.Today I crossed through some absolutely charming farmland and through some very open and beautiful woodland. Lately forest that isn't choked with underbrush is rare, but this was exactly that. I don't know why this was so different, as I didn't see signs of a recent fire. Maybe the canopy is thicker, or maybe all those chipmunks eat everything leafy up. I don't know but I enjoyed it! There are also walls that are just stacked rocks that stretch for long distances. Perhaps this is all reclaimed farmland. There are lots of small green ponds too spread around, which would be perfect drinking holes for cows. Let's go with the "used to be farms" theory.It has been hot and humid, still very rocky and difficult and a tendon near my Achilles has been flaring up, so I had a lot of negative thoughts this morning. But you know what's amazing? The power of positive thinking. When a negative thought enters your head, if it isn't constructive, force it out. Force yourself to think and project positivity. This changed me day for the better. It really worked. Why dwell on the past, or what can't be changed, or things that hurt. You learn from pain but you also have to move on. Get positive and stay that way. Fight the dark thoughts and push back the shadows. Be thankful for all that we have. Force a smile until it's real. Uhhh... *notices everyone standing around and staring at me*... Anyway.Today I walked over many long sections of boardwalks through lush, green swampland. Nobody appreciates a good swamp, but I love a swamp! Swamps are nature's kidneys! Not to mention pretty.Met a hiker named Chickenfoot today. That was almost the name I picked for myself. I have a birthmark that resembles a Chickenfoot. I'm glad I didn't use it! No other Deadwoods have been discovered yet.I walked into Unionville today. A charming little village where even the shops and businesses used to be residences. I met up with Echo and Orion at Horleys General Store. We had breakfast sandwiches and resupplied there. Still hungry, we walked next door to Annabelles Pizza and each had a slice or two. Delicious!Today I met Twobananas and Javelin. I've seen them around a bunch but we hadn't yet met. I suppose they are together? I also met Livingproof, who is a 2 1/2 year brain cancer survivor. I don't have to tell you about how amazing he is.There are some weird red berries out here and they look delicious but I don't want to Into the Wild myself. But it's tough, you know? Thru-hikers are hungry all the time. Especially for fruit.Echo had a good point today about how she doesn't have as many nervous Ticks out here, such as biting fingernails and cracking knuckles. I didn't realize that the same is true of me. You do lose bad habits out here.The trio decided that our feet hurt and we wanted to go into Vernon for a shorter day. We managed to convinced Push and Livingproof to come with us. It was tricky getting a five person hitch into town but Echo simply asked a lady with a minivan and she took us.We tented on the grounds of a nice Church hostel. It isn't staffed, it's all just honor system and read the rules. Push, Orion and Echo had a tent setting up competition and Push won it.Trekkeroni (pepperonis on his trekking poles), Autobahn, Tortoise, Rucker and California Chrome were all also there. Chrome had a brown recluse bite that he went to the ER to get fixed up for.Me, Orion, Echo, Push and Livingproof all went to a Tiki bar named Scullys for dinner and drinks. A few drinks became many drinks. And it got just a little bit goofy. But I think we all got to unwind and not think about injuries or miles to make for a night, and that was restorative.