July 12 - Delaware Water Gap, PA (Day 115 – milepoint 1267.0)

Joined a dozen other thru-hikers in a shuttle to Pack Shack Outfitters in nearby Stroudsburg to do some in-town chores. Of course, the bakery was “on the way.”

After everyone’s laundry was done, we all walked over to the Mall a mile away for food and people-watching. Saw a movie – Face Off.

Grocery then shuttle back to DWG. This evening, we all went over to the Ramada Inn lounge for spirits…and karaoke! Puff, Land Shark, Paka Bear, Baltimore Jack, Water Girl, Cosmo, Chewbacca, Spice, Wollybooger, and Grasshopper belting out some groovy and some less-than-groovy-but-spirited tunes.

The bar was supposed to close at midnight. We walked out with the bartender around 2:30 am. I think Paka Bear pissed himself.

Aquaholic

July 11 - Delaware Water Gap (Day 114 – milepoint 1267.0)

Boogied along for 20 miles with LandShark. Good conversation kept our minds off the rocks. Saw a litter of baby raccoons trying to hide in a tree.

Rolled into Delaware Water Gap ’round 7 pm and had a reunion of sorts with Aunt Marty, Pixie, Big Bird and others at the Presbyterian Church/Hostel. Caught a shower and joined everyone for dinner at the Water Gap Diner.

Will probably take tomorrow off.

Aquaholic

July 10 - Leroy A. Smith Shelter (Day 113 – milepoint 1247.2)

Had a nice, short, nine-mile day planned, but ended up doing 24. How does that happen? Well, let’s see…

Got an early start in cooler temperature and NO HUMIDITY (thanks I think to yesterday’s storm). Decided to continue beyond Lehigh Gap with Landshark (23, New Hampshire). The climb up out of the Gap had us giggling with excitement as a mountain of boulders forced us both to scramble around on all fours for about 20 minutes.

A breathtaking view on top: rolling hills as far as you can see and the Lehigh River Valley meandering its way through a path of least resistance. The terrain for the next five miles or so resembled scenes from parts of the Southwest U.S. Very dry, exposed, and rocky. Kind of weird…

Our plan at this point was to get to the fire tower at the summit, fill up on water, and then camp just beyond. However, we got a little confused and could not find the water spigot rumored to be there (we later found that the spigot was at a ski resort
not far away).

So, no water, and I was out. Landshark gave me a little bit of the little bit he had left, I picked a bunch of blueberries and we decided to go the ten miles to the next shelter and, as far as we could tell, the next water source. Switched to auto-pilot, took one gulp of water per hour, ate blueberries sparingly, and arrived at the shelter in a daze. As luck would have it, I was immediately offered a quart of water by new faces, Journeyman and Starlight (50′s, Pennsylvania), which I promptly refilled for them down the hill at the water source. I think I saw golden halos hovering over their heads.

Nothing beats the magic of a Trail Angel.

Aquaholic

July 9 - Bake Oven Knob Shelter (Day 112 – milepoint 1223.0)

Slackpacked again today, thanks to Bulldog. (We are in their neck of the woods after all.) Felt good.

We made a stop at the Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast, where caretakers Gene and Vera made Landshark, Paka Bear and I a bunch of hot dogs and gave us flavored ice pops.

Lots of rocks today, revealing why PA is not-so-affectionately known on the AT as “Rocksylvania.” Tolerable though, especially without a pack.

Hard, heavy rain with thunder and lightening made a portion of the day a little dangerous. The rain was literally coming down sideways! Land Shark, who wears an external aluminum frame pack, removed his pack, dropped his aluminum poles and found cover separate from his gear until the worst of it passed.

After witnessing that, it occurred to me that I don’t truly know the best thing to do, beyond common sense, in that situation. I just kept walking, and the percentages worked in my favor. But I admit I was ignorant.

Enjoying the company of this new group of folks.

Aquaholic

July 8 - Eckville Hiker’s Center (Day 111 – milepoint 1204. 1)

Not much to say. Feeling fine. Nice folks here at the Eckville (PA) Hiker’s Center. Fiddlehead showed up and brought beer.

Aquaholic

July 7 - Port Clinton, PA (Day 110 – milepoint 1188.6)

Slackpacked 23 miles today thanks to the 501 Shelter caretaker who took our packs into Port Clinton, PA this morning. I arrived severely dehydrated after walking the last 10 scorching miles without water. Bought two cokes from a motorcycle mechanic, then walked across town to the pavilion where my pack was located.

Paka Bear and Land Shark are here along with some new faces: Spice Boy, Watergirl, Piper, Gyro, Snacks, Chicken Man, Bear and a couple of others.

Just can’t get enough water.

Aquaholic

July 6 - 501 Shelter (Day 109 – milepoint 1165.5)

Lunch with everyone then Ma and Pa dropped me off at the airport in Pittsburgh, where I felt very out of place with my backpack and bushy beard, but I enjoyed the many strange looks. Thank God my clothes were clean! Well, they SMELLED clean anyway.

I slept through the 45 minute flight to Harrisburg and took a taxi North on I-81. The driver seemed somewhat nervous when I asked him to drop me off on the side of the highway, but I was obliged when he did. With my pack on my back, I hopped a fence and bushwacked about 20 yards up a sharp hill to where the Trail begins its climb away from the interstate and out of Swatara Gap.

That was probably around 5:00 and I arrived at the 501 Shelter here, 12 miles later, about an hour after dark. Honeysuckle, Boy Wonder, and Frodo are here. Had a good few of days rest but I’m ready to start covering some miles.

Aquaholic

July 5 - Pittsburgh, PA (Day 108)

Mr. and Mrs. Bryan James Trapp. The bride was stunning, perfect in white.

Excellent reception!

Aquaholic

July 4 - Pittsburgh, PA (Day 107)

I was unexpectedly uncomfortable riding in the car for 4-5 hours today, but I’ll live. When we arrived at the hotel we were greeted by friends, folks and family. So good to see everyone and a little surreal after more than three months in the woods.

We did the hot tub, sauna, steam room, swimming pool routine at a local fitness club, and returned to the hotel where we finally ran into and joined the royal couple, Bryan and Pam, for an evening of social and spirits in the bar/lounge. Mom returned from the airport with John and we’re all here…except Bruntlett. Will he show? At this point, we don’t know.

Aquaholic

July 3 - Lickdale, PA Econo Lodge (Day 106)

Remote Control … Dad drove in this evening from Indiana. Tomorrow we drive to Pittsburgh for Bryan Trapp’s wedding.

Aquaholic