6/18 Wet Land Tours

12.6 hiked today, 1342.5 miles N, 831.5 miles left
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel in Vernon, NJ

Once more a late start but today we didn't have great goals so we made it into town before dark. I slept great last night! The fan was blowing a cool breeze over us and the white noise covered up the sounds of the donkeys and tractor in the adjacent field. I didn't get to speak to the driver of the tractor though we did exchange friendly waves. I suspect he is the provider of the fine shelter. Since we all slepty in by the time we woke and started packing the temperature had gotten quite hot though that may largely due to the lack of cover in a field of golden and green grasses.
A couple miles up the trail we did our first of two town stops in Unionville. There they had a small grocery that seemed to carry everything we needed. I purchased a 1L pop because last night in the dark I lost mine somewhere on the trail. They had Slurppies too. I bought a couple of energy drinks to make a new simmering stove. My previous one did work but it tends to go out and scorch the surface it is on. Finally I got a sandwich in honor of the deli tour. In New York one can hike to a deli every day hence the "deli tour". I have personally been craving sandwiches for the last three months so I plan on taking advantage of this. Caps bought a 25oz Fosters beer to use the can for a pot. We made a fine pair, one wired and one buzzed. We took a two hour long lunch break at a picnic table behind the market. I made Caps a pot and myself a stove which turned out not to work very well so I threw it out.
From Unionville the hiking was exceptionally easy generally sticking to low areas. We made great millage though Caps and McGyver were annoyed at the long tour around the perimeter of Walkill River National Wildlife Refuge rather taking the short route around the other side. I rather liked it because I found the green waters and reedy plants relaxing and there were many swans swimming about.
After Walkill we did our one significant climb going up Pochuck mountain. The climb was very poorly graded and we pretty much went straight up the steep mountain side. To our delight we found an unlabeled water source on the way up. There was a sign on a tree pointing to our right. I had plenty but Cap needed some so we stopped. When Caps went to fill up he found a large steel box with not only water but also all sorts of treats left by a trail angel. Thank you very much whoever you are!
We took another short break at the shelter. We ended climbing so quickly that we were up and over before I knew it. That was a shame as I wanted to check out the overlook on the summit but I missed it. Then we went down the other side quickly minus a break for Caps' still sore feet. There we entered the Pochuck wetland. This one was fairly dry but absolutely filled with tall cat tails, grasses, and wild flowers. You could walk right though on an astonishing 4400' long boardwalk and a 110' span suspension bridge. It was a stunning expanse where the plants were so tall that though the board walk was 4-5 feet off the ground the plants came to over my chest in many cases.
Pretty much right after that we were on the road into town. The hitch into town took about 20 minutes and the ride was very nice and dropped us off right at the hostel. MGyver and Caps moved on to the firehouse where there was free camping. I elected to stay and pay the $10 for internet, shower, and laundry. At the hostel I emailed Platypus about my popped bladder and Princeton Tec about my headlamp that is acting up. Then I figured out why I hadn't found my shoes that I ordered. I had them shipped to the wrong town! Oops, tomorrow I will have to call the post office and have them forwarded. After all that finally I had a chance to get dinner and headed out to the local pizza place. There the people were very nice and portions huge. I got a salad and a couple slices of pizza. I was there late but they let me stay after they closed while they cleaned up. I heard the cook asking the staff if they wanted any pizza as he was throwing out the pre-made ones he had around for slices. He wasn't having any takers and then I piped up saying that I knew thru-hikers that would eat it. In the end I got a salad, two large slices of pizza, and a whole 16-18" cheese pizza for about $10. I hit the A&P grocery that was in the same mall and bought some food and V-8 cans to try to make another simmer stove. Then I crossed the street to hang out with Caps and McGyver at the fire house. The city was well laid out for a hiker with all the stores and post office in one mall and the camping across the street by the side of a pond with lilies and ducks. It is a real nice spot to spend the night.
We hung out for a while and chatted before drowsiness kicked in for me. I grabbed their laundry and took it back to the hostel where I have tossed it in with my load and am waiting for the cycle to finish so I can toos it into the dryer and then pass out.