Date: 2014-04-18
From: High Point State Park

To: The Secret Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday, April 18The trail provides. This was one of our favorite expressions while thru hiking. Some difficulty would arise and then something would happen to alleviate the problem. This time, the difficulty was extreme cold, frozen boots and a size able gash on my shin from one of my tumbles. Because I am prone to MRSA, an infection that can only be fixed through harsh antibiotics, the gash could have been the beginning of the end. But, because of the cold, we sought shelter in Port Jervis at the Days Inn. A very complete pharmacy was a short distance from the motel, so I was able to stock up on the kind of bandaging needed for my wound. Under the guidance of Siva, I have been able to effectively treat the gash and it's already looking better. Siva was a doctor before retiring to the good life, and both Llyn and I have asked her help and used her supplies often. She must feel like the school nurse in a field trip with youngsters. But she continues to provide us with the benefit of her skills and knowledge, and we are able to continue along in good health. The morning came quickly after a great night's sleep. We sleepily dressed and wandered to the motel's dining area for their free continental breakfast. I don't know what continent the food came from. All that was there was toast or English muffin and dry cereal--Raisin Bran or Frosted Flakes--or oatmeal. Those carbs only lasted about a mile or two. The hike began with a slight climb over some rocks. The woods were quiet. Dead silent. We wondered if the cold had sent all wildlife into warmer abodes. We reached a viewing platform for the High Point monument and climbed up to check it out and to have a snack. As we walked along, we discussed our options for the days ahead. We were a little nervous about the availability of water at The Secret shelter, our next stop, and, worse yet, at Pochuck Mtn Shelter. The guide shows no water between those two sites except for a spigot on the side of an abandoned house. With the frigid temperatures, we feared that any water spigots would be turned off. But we ran into two hikers heading south, and they informed us that the spigot was working before Pochuck shelter. That means that we won't have to haul two days' worth of water for seven miles and up steep Pochuck Mountain! The trail provides!But wait! There's more! We continued our pleasant hike along a gentle trail with very few rocks and not a single rolled ankle. When we reached the final stream a mile before the Secret Shelter, we loaded up with water in case there was none there. Naturally, after we filled up all our water bladders and bottles, the trail gave us two steep climbs. They were short but with the water weight we really felt those climbs! I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of it all. Soon, we reached the road to the Secret Shelter. It was just as I remembered it! Several cottage like buildings with two donkeys corraled nearby. However, the doors were locked. There was a business card tacked to the door with the phone number of Jim Murray, the very kind property owner who has made his structures available to hikers. I called the number and left a message asking permission to camp on the property. Shortly, Siva discovered an unlocked structure with an invitation to hikers. I called Jim back and thanked him profusely. It was going to be a cold night outside, but now we are snug inside four walls. The trail (and Jim Murray) provides. Later, Jim drove up and we had the opportunity to meet him and to thank him personally. He invited us to join him in feeding the donkeys who were the very same donkeys who were there seven years ago when I visited last. Siva and Llyn went with him while I stayed back to get caught up on my journals. It's been a wonderful day of strolling through the woods, enjoying all that the trail can provide us. We saw the High Point monument from a viewing platform on the trail, ate many snacks by babbling brooks and walked seven easy miles to a wonderful secret shelter. Life is good!