Breaking camp in the shelter this morning had many aspects of a tin of sardines, but we finally got on the trail at 6:30. After all the dry conditions, it was quite pleasant hiking in the early mist. We had a chance to catch up with Johnny Walker Red before taking a break at a large pavilion.
About five miles in, we took a snack break when the path went right by the next shelter. We met local ridge runner Mile Hi who had stayed there the night before. At a paved road 2/10 mile downhill from the shelter, we ran into Deb and her support vehicle waiting for the arrival of the Charons – Tree Trunk and Manula. We had hoped to see them today, but Deb confirmed they were about three miles back and would probably stop at the High Point Shelter this evening. Perhaps tomorrow then???
As we had expected from reading other journals, the trail started out fairly easy, but got rockier and tougher as we approached High Point State Park (perhaps we should add “high points” to knobs and pulpits as places on the trail to be avoided?). The trail emerged from the woods right at the park Headquarters/Visitor Center, and we stopped for a break. The Friends of the Park group provide all thru hikers with a complimentary soda as a token of reaching this northbound milestone. The sodas were much appreciated, even if all the rangers had to offer today were reduced calorie drinks. What’s with that???
With N more excited about it than X, we went off trail 6/10 mile to visit the actual NJ high point. This is the third such point we’ve passed, with New Jersey now joining Tennessee and Virginia.
After a few more downhill rocks, the trail began to ease up as we went on the edges of several ponds and fields. Tonight we are staying on the Jim Murray property which the owner makes available to hikers at no charge. It is a most excellent campsite (with “excellent” being defined as well water, a hot shower, and a place to charge a phone), and other folks: Claudia, Animal, Coach, Johnny Walker Red, Lucky Ten, and a fellow with a sick dog are joining us this evening. It is quite restful and peaceful here on a large, tree-dotted mown field after a long day and we hope to sleep well. Mr. Murray is a trail angel of the highest order.