Date: 2014-07-29
From: Vernon NJ

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is a day of preparation and waiting. My mood has been in a state of limbo I might say. There is the thought of, "I should be getting some miles in" tempered with the idea of making the best of a bad situation by reading, resting my body, and watching TV. Dr. Tatyana has said come back on Tuesday to have my foot rechecked before resuming my hike. I order for the antibiotic to have as much time as possible to work, I am waiting until 3:00 PM to have it checked and that still leaves ample time to reach the first shelter 5 miles out.Ellen came by the hostel offering rides to the trailhead in the morning. She said yes to my request for a ride to the Urgent Care Center in the afternoon. I went for a breakfast at the nearby Mixing Bowl Restaurant. I was planning on eggs and toast but when I spied the Greek Omelet on the menu, I changed my mind. It contained tomatoes, onions and feta cheese and sounded healthy and tasty. Since passing to the north of the Mason-Dixon Line, I have been enjoying more dishes with blue cheese and/or Feta cheese. I have been told that many family restaurants have Greek chefs or cooks in this region.Before my order came, Ellen from St. Thomas church happened to also come in to the Mixing Bowl and met a friend sitting at table next to me. While eating our breakfasts she received a phone call that necessitated her husband picking me up in the afternoon.Also I rewashed my clothes, showered and soaked my foot one more time. Then I repacked my backpack with the hopes of spending this night in the woods. I passed the time vicariously walking the Pacific Coast Trail as I continued reading Cindy Ross's JOURNEY ON THE CREST.I was wondering what mood Ellen's husband might be in when he came to get me, if maybe he felt like he had been roped into something she volunteered him to do. When he arrived it turned out to be the same man who had brought food to the hostel at nine o'clock one night. I knew he would be pleased at the opportunity to provide trail magic today. Since we are both retired high school mathematics teachers, we spent the fifteen minute drive reminiscing on how our students had provided a rewarding career for us. He taught in an inner-city school and I taught "inner-mountain" schools, but we found a lot of commonality.According to the clock, it was a short wait to see the Doctor but it seemed like forever. Nurse Julia was personable as she got my vitals and at the same time chatted and asked questions about my hike. Even though my illness was minor, compassionate and genuine care goes along way in providing healing. Because of her interest in the trail, I left her a card and asked her to also share it with Dr. Tatyana who was not on duty today.I explained to the doctor that although my foot was still swollen somewhat I could now see some veins. He said the words I had been hoping to hear since Sunday: I think it will be okay to hike on now. Just finish the antibiotic. Hurrah! Mountain --here I come!Ellen's husband (never did catch his name) wished me safe hiking and told me to not miss Pinwheel Vista. I could see as I began walking that I would have a level stretch through fields then a steep ridge to climb with rock out-croppings visible even from my vantage. That told me I would have rocks to climb through. As I started up it was better than it could have been because the rocks had been arranged to make a path of irregular steps. I passed several people who were walking this trail dressed causally and not prepared for a mountain climb. Half way up one man stopped briefly to ask if I were a thru hiker and wished me well, but also added: don't miss the vista at the blue-blazed side trail by the rock pile. Now there was no doubt in my mind I must take this side trail and see for myself. Every time before whenever, "The Trail" has made a strong statement like this, I have never been disappointed from heeding the advice. These statements have included strong mental impressions, a chirp from a bird or an almost casual remark from a passer-by.And as if I didn't get the message a young woman passes with a black dog with a pack on his back. She only has a day back so isn't a thru-hiker. We say hello as we pass. She continues walking but I stop, and watch her and the dog for a few seconds. She got thirty feet away before I asked if she is training her dog to go on a long walk. I was surprised when she didn't just shout back a yes or no, but turned around and came back to where I was standing (Her name is Leann but I forgot the dogs name.) She talked about her dreams of walking the AT and I talked about how I was fulfilling a dream. She enjoys getting a chance to talk to thru hikers and only needed to hear my simple question to feel I was not too busy to stop and talk. I told her about the book Ellie's Long Walk, which begins with Pam Flowers, the author picking Ellie from a pound, training her and then walking the AT. And guess what Leann told me? She said, "you have to go to the look out and enjoy the view! You probably saw better in the Smokies or somewhere but this is the prettiest view in New Jersey."As we parted, I noticed my mood had returned to a normal level for what it is when I am out on the Trail and present enough to receive the magic the trail offers to those with hearts open to receive.In deed, the view was magnificent. I had a birds eye view of the path I had trod on Friday through the farm and cow pasture and today up to the base of Wawayanda Mountain I had just climbed. I say a cornfield with a maze and the nearly vacant Ricky Farm that had been the weekend site of Music and Arts Festival. I had enjoyed other gorgeous views in NJ with maybe more distant mountains but there is something about this view that is pleasing to the soul like a great work of art. A perfect combination of color and pattern. A hiking friend informed me on Facebook that the route up to this vista is called the Stairway to Heaven and the view is Pinwheel Vista. I think this goes to show that even if a person has no affinity for a religion, they tap into their spirituality when they find their heart filled with awe in response to such views. (So why would someone hike a long trail?)I got to my shelter just before dark taking more than the expected time because of rocks and trying to protect my foot. The trail was rocky but unlike PA, a path with flat rocks to step on had been formed. At the shelter tonight is Grizzly Bear, Preacher, Pace and infrared The air was cool, so it felt good to burrow in my sleeping bag to escape the mosquitos. I rather be out here in the woods than in the hostel. I was 5 more miles closer to Maine and the trail was working its magic.