July 2

After an exhaustive study, the mosquitoes in NJ are at least as bad as the ones in Florida. Once the sun goes down, you'd better find cover fast! The ticks aren't much better, but deet seems to confuse them enough that I haven't had one bite yet.

Tonight I'm writing from a camp site at the mashipacong shelter (that wasn't an autocorrect fail :b) 1324.8. Recently I've been looking ahead in the guide book to see what's ahead... sometimes you just shouldn't do that. It's a bit intimidating. I won't lie; the elevation profile on a page from Maine made me mutter something under my breath. All in good time though.

Aside from the constant buzz of the winged beasts, the night was very peaceful. I slept very well, much better than in hostels. The reasonable, goldie-locks night temperature helped as well. Since I've been experimenting, I thought i'd mix two hiking styles today - the hike fast and sit long styles. This combination lets me take many breaks and laze about. One of the best parts of the day was sitting on a breezy mountain top, listening to classical music on NPR, and eating a snack.

About halfway through the day, near another lookout tower, I saw a couple from eastern Europe. I had seen them in Deleware Water Gap but just in passing. The female was reserved but friendly and the male was friendly but paranoid about nature. He kept telling me about the "F'ing snakes" and the barrrrrrs. He just hasn't been out here long enough yet. Some comic relief never hurt. I can't be too mean since he gave me a packet of myoplex protein powder. I'm actually looking forward to using that.

After dinner and after convincing myself not to be content with 15 miles, I began to make my way to where I am now. I had to hurry. I didn't have much daylight left. About halfway there I found a gorgeous pavilion at the top of a mountain. The sunsets from up there would have been spectacular. A young couple, a guy in jeans and a t-shirt and a girl in a summer dress with a smile that could light up rooms (reminds me of a couple I used to know not too long ago :D), had the idea to catch one of them. Not wanting to spoil their evening's plans I was off toward the shelter once more. I arrived at the shelter to find some campers and two counselors already there. I don't know too much about them except they have a ridiculous amount of food in the bear box. They seem nice though.