AT from Kent, CT to Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
Part 3: Vernon, NJ to Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
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Day 14, 05/15/2003- Had a decent day today. One reason was that there
was a good deal of flat, good quality trail on which one can make miles. Did
14 miles today and have 39 more to do by Monday morning, May 18 at 9AM. I'm
at the Secret Shelter tonight. Alone so far. This is a shelter on private
land that has electricity, water, heat, a dryer, indoor and outdoor hot
showers and a loft that sleeps 3-4. This is truly a neat place and the best
shelter that I've been in so far (that isn't a hotel room!).
Day 15, 05/16/2003- Pushed myself today and did 13 miles. Have to do 14 each of the next 2 days in order to finish on time. I took the Iris Trail instead of the AT and gained some time. Got to Mashipacong Shelter and expected a quiet evening. Then, 18 scouts piled into the shelter. I'm tenting. We'll see how the evening goes. Day 16, 05/17/2003- The scouts were fine. Did 13 good miles to Brink RD shelter. I felt good today. Almost stepped on a rattlesnake today. Thank God he was half on the trail and half in the bushes when I came upon him. He started hissing. I fell backwards because he startled me. If he had been all on the trail, he could have coiled and bit me. I was shaken up after this. Tenting at the Brink RD shelter again with about 20 scouts tonight. I think it's great that they can get out and do things like this and that they have parents that are willing to go with them. Tomorrow, it's 14 miles to Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ and the end of the adventure. Day 17, 05/18/2003- Today was a great day! I did the 14 miles and felt good. The weather was great. I met Tom Stevenson (aka 'Java Man') right at the halfway point so I knew that I was making my miles. We talked for awhile and told each other what was ahead. Tom was hiking with 'Gear Nut' from Delaware Water Gap, PA to Greenwood Lake, NY. I am now at the Mohican Outdoor Center near Blairstown, NJ. I'm glad that it's over. But I'm sad to be getting off the trail and that I did not make it to Delaware Water Gap (I was 10.3 miles or 1 day short). I'll come back some day and make that up. I was just getting my trail legs. I guess it's time to get back to civilization. Until next time... Day 18, 05/19/2003- Fellow Rag Tag Ranger Chuck Bramhall had offered to shuttle me home so I took him up on his offer. We had a nice drive from NJ to VA. When we got home, Nancy had a great Pot Roast dinner waiting for us. This was a tough trip. The trail north of Fitzgerald Falls, NY is very rocky, goes straight up and down mountains (no switchbacks) and is very tough to hike. However, I did it and now have completed about 55% of the AT. It was definitely an experience. Now, I will fill in PA with weekend hikes and then decide how to tackle from Kent, CT to Katahdin, ME and complete the trail. <<Part 2: FT Montgomery, NY to Vernon, NJ
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Llama farm near Vernon, NJ.
By Mike Calabrese
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