New Jersey

Thanks to Grampa and Aunt Barb’s gifts, I created some trail magic in Delaware Water Gap. I treated one thru-hiker to some pizza and two others to milkshakes. Of course I ate lots of pizza and milkshake myself.

My first day in New Jersey started by walking along a highway for a while until I crossed the Delaware River. Then I climbed uphill with my 39 pound (!) pack; after my resupply in Wind Gap, my bag was nearly 10 pounds heavier than when I left Springer!

I came to Sunfish Pond, where there were cool rock stacks at the spot I stopped for a snack. I watched a snake swim around a few feet away from me but I accidentally scared it away when I tried to get a video of it eating a frog. (It wasn’t actually eating the frog yet, but it looked ready to attack.)

Later in the day I came to another pond that was overflowing from the heavy rain the day before.

I had a wet night in my tent that night as more rain came in. Some of the guys I camped with were practicing skills they’d learned at “tracking school” where they learned how to survive in the wild from the author of “The Tracker.” (http://www.trackerschool.com/)

The next day was Memorial Day, so people were out in hordes. In addition to all the day hikers, I saw a turkey from this fire tower.

I also saw this deer as I was finishing my day and walking into the shelter.

I met a very interesting and funny couple there named La-Z and Detour. They had just finished taking their sponge baths outside the shelter when I arrived, so I thought my timing was perfect. They were celebrating their anniversary on the trail and were clearly the most perfect match for each other.

The next morning I entered High Point State Park and received a free Pepsi at the park headquarters from the Friends of High Point State Park. Thank you Friends of HPSP!

After my pitstop at the headquarters, I
summited the highest point in New Jersey.

I stopped for water at the “secret shelter,” a private cabin owned by Jim Murray, who lets hikers stay or rest there.

At the end of the day I passed through the Wallkill River National Wildlife Reserve, which was home to hundreds of birds.

My last day in New Jersey started with another boardwalk over swampland.

I then stopped at a farm near the trail for some fresh fruit and a muffin. It’s amazing how quickly I’m passing through the states now!