Flip Flop Hikers: Sprout Day 53 (Thursday, May 19th, 2016)

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sprout Day 53 (Thursday, May 19th, 2016)

Today was a long, but great day. We walked the boardwalk section in New Jersey and headed for Thomas Episcopal Church. We had a food package at the post office so I went ahead of Bubbles to make sure we got our package before the post office closed.

We were heading towards the town of Vernon, which is a couple miles off the trail. I had planned on hitchhiking into town so I could get there as quick as I could. The road leading into Vernon is busy and I’d rather be in a car than walking! I got to the road and decided I better go to this little farmers market that sells food to gather my thoughts and possibly see if someone there would give me a ride into town. I ate one of the best chicken wraps I've ever had and washed it down with a coke.

I decided to start walking towards Vernon because I needed to get to the post office! I wasn't walking for too long when a van pulled up and asked me if I wanted a ride. I was so happy! I immediately threw my bag off and jumped in! A husband and wife were happy to give me a ride. They asked the normal questions a thru hiker gets asked, how many miles, where I started, how long, and my best experiences. On the way into town they pointed out all the spots I wanted to go to and were very helpful.

As soon as I walked out of the post office I sat my box on the blue mail drop box and was putting my pack on when a heating a cooling work truck pulled up. The guy asked me if I wanted a ride! Really, two rides and I didn't even have to try to hitchhike! He dropped me off at the church. I was feeling good and felt like I had a lot accomplished earlier than expected so I went over to Burger King to grab a couple sandwiches. The church hostel was a great place, plenty of room to sleep, a shower, washer and dryer and a kitchen with all the equipment anyone could want. It was close to a store, restaurants, and a CVS right next door. We all ended up ordering pizza from next door later that night. It was some of the best pizza I've ever had!