Date: 2018-06-01
From: Branchville, NJ

To: The Secret Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: light rain

Two Clicks and I ended up turning down the ride we were offered by the motel owners to the trail at 8:30am. We wanted to get out a bit earlier and figured a hitch would be manageable with people going to work. We were out the door at 6:45 and stood on the other side of the street for at least 15 minutes with no luck as so many cars passed. We started huffing it up the road with our thumbs out. With only feet separating us from the cars zooming by it definitely wasn't the best road to be walking. We couldn't even stick our hands out far in fear of them ripping off when a car passed. Eventually we hit a road that intersects the main road. There, a man was stopped at a stop sign and I kindly approached the car and asked if he could give us a ride the remaining mile or two to the trail. He nodded and said sure. Thanks to Drew we didn't have to walk that far but I imagine we could add 0.5-1 mile of road walk from this morning to our mileage total.We were at the trail! It began with a small climb out of Branchville then remainded mellow all day with small ups and downs, rocks here and there and a few views by the afternoon once the fog dissipated. It shaped up to be a great day around 1 or 2 with the sun winning the battle over the fog. The humidity was high and the bugs were out so it made it a bit tough but except for the flies dive bombing my eyes, I had a good hiking day.At lunch I stopped at High Point State Park in NJ where they give thru hikers a free Pepsi. There I sipped on that and ate lunch while talking with Moldy Beans. He is a hiker who southbounded from Katahdin to NY and is now doing Harper's Ferry to his last point in NY. I mentioned our bear encounter and how I was currently stoveless. He said that he would be done his hike In a few days and would be willing to sell his stove and pot to me for a reasonable price once he finishes the trail. I knew the trail would provide! I'll be in the area of him on the trail and when he's done he plans on leaving it in a spot that I can grab it and texting me. I can then Venmo him the money and have a stove once again! So pumped.We hiked out not far apart on the trail and pushed the last 7 miles to the Secret Shelter. It's a shelter not listed on my guidebook but it is listed on Guthooks. A man named Jim Murray owns land 0.2 from the trail and has a cabin that he opens as an unofficial shelter for hikers. He even let's us use his well water, an outdoor shower and the outlets inside. It's a really cool place to stay right on his farm where it's quiet and the birds are chirping.Moldy Beans stopped in quickly for a shower. He had fallen in the mud within the last mile and was happy to use it. He then pushed on and was going to get food in the next town then sleep at the next Shelter. As for Two Clicks and I. We got here around 3:30 and decided to stay. It was early but the sun was out and we could dry things out nicely. I also used the shower because, why not? You're welcome civilization. My clothes still haven't been properly washed since the beginning of PA and I won't wash them until MA so regardless-- I smell ripe. Then we hung around enjoying the night and Two Clicks practiced his yoyo tricks. There were donkeys here too! I'm trying my first night going stoveless which basically means I just eat a bunch more junk with calories but I won't have to do it for long. Planning a 30 mile day tomorrow- my first-time-- with breakfast at a deli and dinner at a hot dog spot! Woo!