Date: 2003-07-01
From: Gemmer Rd 

To: NJ94/Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 15.0

Wow! I've been on the trail for four months, as of today! That seems like a long time. That IS a long time! I don't know if it's because of running around doing stuff when family comes to visit, or if it's because of the hike so far, or neither, but I've been tired lately. Not physical exhaustion, but sleepy-tired. I don't get as much sleep when I'm in a hotel, because I stay up later. Maybe over 3 or 4 nights, that just adds up to tiredness.Pa, Dan and Bryan left today. I was not ready for them to go. I wanted them, or at least one of them to stay and hike with me. But I know they cannot do that. And I know I had to continue North. But I was sad to see them leave, and cried as I walked away. I'm not sure if it's because I won't see them for a while, or if it's the trail. I was actually thinking I either wanted them to stay, or I wanted to go with them. I don't really want to quit the trail, but this morning, it seemed like a way to be around them longer. Even though I've been hiking with Hotdog most of the time, I want to share this with close friends and family. I want them here with me. I miss them.As the time, and miles, went by, I started feeling better. I know that once I get back in the swing of the hike again, all will be well. I will still miss family and friends, but not like this morning. I hiked alone today, and only saw 3 others, dayhiking. That is strange for me, not knowing who, if anyone is right in front, or right behind me.It was a pretty good day, in the 80s, with a light breeze and lower humidity. The mosquitos were buzzing all around, so I put my bug juice on again. There were a few great views today, especially from Pochuck Mountain. I hiked through a lot of swampy land today, but kept my feet dry. The maintainers have built a lot of bog bridges, and a long boardwalk to make the hike a drier one. The boardwalk reminded me of Florida, as it wound through the swamp. There was also a suspension bridge, and that was pretty cool too.Even though it was cooler than it had been, I'm still hot from the hike today. The sun wears me out and today, I was out of the woods a lot, walking through Pochuck Swamp on boardwalks and through many fields. I need to remember that I sweat off my sunscreen, and reapply once or twice during the day. I didn't get burned today, but it could happen.I'm at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel in Vernon, NJ. This place is awesome! We can sleep on the carpeted floor of their basement, and there is a full kitchen, laundry, internet, shower and restrooms! All right here. When I got to the road, I checked my guides to make sure I'd hitch the right direction, and stuck out my thumb. The first car stopped! It was a lady with her daughter, and I asked "Do you pick up hikers often?" "No, never. This is the first time." She was very kind, and knew just where to take me. Thank you, Angel, for the ride! I hope I have that great of luck in the morning too!I haven't taken a shower yet, as two other thruhikers are here, and they had dibs on the shower. After I got done eating dinner, it was almost 7pm, and the basement is being used to host a meeting, so I'm in the sleeping area (which appears to double as play area/day care during the day) just hanging out until the meeting is over. If I fall asleep, I guess I miss out on a shower. Oh well, sleep is important too.