Tentsite 1311.9 to Gren Anderson Shelter 1328.5 (16.6 miles, 303.1 total miles)
It took a bit to fall asleep last night, my mind was moving thinking about new shoes and trying to get to Branchville as early in the day as possible. Once I fell asleep I slept well, and my feet and ankles didn’t hurt like mad in the night for once. I thought that was a good indicator that I had listened to my body and not pushed myself too hard.
Jedi generously took my food bag, cook pot, and mattress pad, lightening my pack at least 5 or 6 pounds, maybe a little more. We headed out together after Shrek had gone, and started hiking at 7:15. The plan was to reach Gyp’s Tavern in Branchville by 2pm, allowing for a 2mph pace.
My bag felt incredibly light with less weight, even carrying two liters of water. I even collapsed my trekking poles and asked Jedi to pack them in my bag because I didn’t need them. I’ve never hiked without poles with my park on, really, but I see people do it a lot, and I always wish I could hike that way.
The terrain was surprisingly nice and easy, and we were hiking on the ridge for most of the morning, with little ups and downs here and there. There was one mini-Palmerton climb with a bit of four point climbing, but with less weight on my back and no trekking poles to worry about, it was very simple and quick.
Jedi and I talked while we hiked, and the conversation made the miles fly by. That is one thing that I had been missing about hiking with people, because anytime I hike with one or more other hikers, the miles just cruise on by.
We were also making excellent time. Jedi let me set the pace, but because of what he’d done by carrying a few of my things, I was able to reach the 3mph pace I feel like I always want to hike at. It felt really good to feel that speed on the trail that I’ve been missing.
It was another perfect day without humidity, lots of sunshine and blue skies. There were some really nice ridges with views that we walked along as well. Right before one of the ridges, Neon caught up with us, and we hiked with him as well to the first shelter for a break.
Shrek was by the trail to the shelter taking a break herself, and she’d been there for a while, so took off after a few minutes. It was her birthday and she had someone meeting her in town so was moving quick.
Brink Road Shelter was 10 miles into the day (the shelter I’d wanted to hit the day before), and we spent a good hour plus having snacks and hanging out with Piñata, Quarter Tank, and Work Boots as well.
We left the shelter at 12:15 to hike the 3.5 to Gyp’s Tavern in town. On the way out of the shelter we saw a woman called Spitfire, who told us there was a food truck at the tavern. I was looking forward to getting some more hot town food for lunch.
We hiked with Neon again into town, after letting QT and Work Boots pass ahead. I had fun chatting with Jedi and Neon. We talked about all sorts of stuff like pets, family stuff, whatever came to mind. I think the whole hike from the tentsite to the tavern is some of my favorite hiking I’ve done so far. I liked having company more than I had wanted to admit, because there is vulnerability in companionship.
The terrain stayed nice, with a couple little climbs here and there, and more views. There was way more mountain laurel blooming in New Jersey than I had seen anywhere else, and we found some really pretty tiny ones called sheep’s laurel as well.
There was a bit of a downhill to the road before the tavern, and by then my feet and ankles were definitely feeling it. Neon speculated that some of the pain was coming from tying my laces too tightly.
I had realized that once we hit the road it would mark exactly 300 miles into my trip so far. Flip floppers don’t get their milestones written in stones or sticks on the trail, like northbounders do. For southbounders, the mile markers represent how many miles they have left.
On the second half of my hike, the miles left indicator will ring true. The whole northern half it is up to me to celebrate my own significant mileages. We got some good pics to celebrate the occasion, and I was unexpectedly happy to have friends to share the experience with. My first 100 and 200 mile markers I’d been by myself.
We walked the .5 to Gyp’s Tavern off trail, and the staff gave us a super warm welcome. One woman gave us the rundown of where we could put our packs, charge our devices, fill our bottles, and sign their logbook.
The tavern was right on a beautiful lake, and the view was absolutely perfect. QT and Work Boots were there, and I also saw Gimp and Cobra. Gimp is a young and cheerful NOBO I’d first met at 501 Shelter, and saw at the church hostel as well. Cobra is the flip flopper I know from those places as well.
I got a blackberry cider on tap, and the food truck was Cousins Maine Lobster, which I’ve had before in Connecticut. The food was pricey, of course, but I was in for it. I got the lobster tail and tots, plus a whoopie pie.
While we were standing in line to order, I had texted Paul that I was there. It was an hour drive for him from his house in New Jersey to the tavern, but he totally surprised me by popping up right by my side.
I laughed and gave him a hug, realizing much later I had missed his message saying he was there already. He ordered some food, too, and we all sat down to eat, Paul and the hikers.
The lobster tail I got was gone in about five seconds, and I scarfed down the tots as well. I gave Jedi and Neon some of the whoopie pie, because it was delicious, but also a sweetness overload.
Paul seemed to have a good time getting exposed to the thru hiking culture, and listened to us banter about, cracking his own jokes and asking questions here and there along the way, like what on earth could make a thru hike cost $6,000? (Answer: food, lots of food, and motel/hostel stays mostly.)
When I was done with my cider, we hit the road to head to REI around 3pm, just as Jedi had planned it for me. Paul and I had a great time chatting and catching up, it had been several years since we’d seen each other last. The conversation flowed on the hour drive, and the traffic was nonexistent.
We got to REI, and I was thrilled. It’s my spot, honestly, I love that store. I grabbed some bars and Backpacker’s Pantry dinners, plus some more sock liners and another pair of wool underwear.
In the shoe department I apologized to the guy working there that I stunk because I’m thru hiking. He said no worries immediately and that they love thru hikers there. I was home.
He did some measurements to my feet, and said Altras are definitely not the right shoes for me because my feet are actually more narrow than most women’s. Altras are known for their wide toe boxes, and I had no idea I have narrow feet.
He confirmed what Neon suspected, that I was tying my laces too tight to accommodate the extra width, and bruising the bones in my feet. He took out some Sauconys, more Brooks, and Hokas for me to try. Also gave me a smaller sized insole that should hit my arch in a better spot.
The other thing he gave me were fresh socks to use to try on the shoes. I changed them, but was confused why he recommended that, was it cushioning or something? With a straight face he said no, my socks were just dirty and he didn’t want them to stink up the shoes. I couldn’t help but crack up at that. He was very right.
The Sauconys just felt off to me, the Brooks were closer, but the Hokas immediately felt good on my feet the moment I put them on. They are almost as popular as Altras, but Fleet Feet didn’t have them in stock when I bought my shoes, so I’d never tried them on.
They are Speedgoat 5s, and are gorgeous, but I tried not to let that influence me. The felt good, though, and the staff showed me how to tie the laces to do a heel lock, so my heels wouldn’t slip. The shoes are ultra cushioned, too, which I was a fan of after the Altras, which are definitely not.
The staff also suggested I use full cushion socks, which have cushion on the top of the feet as well, to help with the soreness from the over tying of my laces, so I grabbed a couple pairs of those.
Altogether, I spent $335 on the shoes, insoles, clothes, and food, but I had a couple small gift cards to ease the blow. Paul had very kindly offered to buy my shoes, but he helped out a lot on my prior hike, and I wanted to support myself this time with those types of expenses. It was so sweet to offer, though.
We left REI exactly on schedule as I’d hoped at 5pm. I was hoping to get onto the trail by 6:30 and get to the shelter by 8, after doing 3 more miles. It would be the trial run of my shoes.
The drive went well, and we only got slowed down in a very small amount of traffic on the way back. By the time I was done hastily packing my bag and saying goodbye, it was exactly 6:30pm.
My bag was back to being full of all my gear and food, plus I packed my Altras again as a fail safe, just in case. I made excellent time up the climb out of town, but while I hiked, I felt my heels slipping, even with the heel lock.
I saw a nice view on the ridge, and passed a fire tower. I didn’t climb this one, though, as I wanted to get to camp as quick as possible. It was late, and would get dark soon.
I jammed to some music while I hiked, the first time I’d hiked alone all day. I started to think maybe the Hokas were half a size too big, but they were definitely good enough to hike in, and I could do a mail order exchange with REI if I needed to. I’d play with the laces tomorrow, though, when I had more time.
I was very happy when I reached the shelter and realized I’d done the 3 miles, even with the uphill, in exactly an hour. With a full pack to be hiking that pace, the Hokas seemed to the be the right shoe. The size I can fix, but I finally feel like I found the ones. I am a stinky Cinderella.
Jedi saved me a nice tensite, and Neon, Pinata, and QT were all set up as well already. It was 7:30, so I had a little extra daylight than anticipated. It felt too late to cook, so I just had some almonds, a Pro Meal Bar, and a Kind Bar. Paul had given me the packets of almonds and the Kind Bars, which was very appreciated.
I had a very awesome time with the group today, and I plan on hiking with them tomorrow as well. Paul really went above and beyond to drive all the way from CT, three hours away, to drive another 45 minutes to the tavern, then drive me an hour to REI, back to the tavern, and back to his house in West Milford, NJ.
That’s about six hours of driving, what a truly selfless act. Again, I’m just blown away by the support, truly. The shoe dilemma is 95% solved, and I am 100% a very happy camper.