Date: 2003-06-27
From: Camp Road/Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Culvers Gap/US206 
Miles today: 17.9

I was awake around 5am, but laid in my bunk until about 5:30. Hotdog and I got on the trail at 6:45, and I hoped that meant getting some good miles in before it got too hot. Unfortunately, that meant I was out hiking in prime mosquito time. The mosquitos were driving me crazy for the first hour, and I finally remembered that I had bug spray. Duh. Once I slathered myself in DEET, I hiked almost normal, without constantly wiping blood-suckers off my arms and legs, and waving them away from my face. I think the combination of DEET and sweat gave me a wonderful aroma today, and if Prince Charming had come along, I'm sure he could not have resisted me.The trail in New Jersey, so far, is similar to Pennsylvania. There are lots of rocks, but not quite as continuous as in PA. The trail follows mountain ridgelines, and has provided some great views of the Delaware River, and various lakes and reservoirs. Today, at least this morning anyway, it was a bit hazy, but by the early afternoon it had cleared some, and a couple of times I had a 180* view.   Despite the haze, I enjoyed the views. It is incredible to just look off in the distance and farms, houses, and more mountains. I always wonder if anyone down below ever looks up at the mountains I'm on and wonders if anyone is up there.We were making good time today, and got to a water pump over 7 miles north before 10am. When I got to the pump, thruhikers Puff Puff and Snappy were there, as was Drew. I thought it was strange that Drew was there, as he left Mohican Outdoor Center after me, and I never saw him pass me. Apparently he was followed by a bear for about a half mile, even onto a road, and when a car came along, he asked the driver to give him a ride to the next AT crossing north. I don't blame him at all. He saw another bear later in the day, and Puff Puff and Snappy saw a bear just before they camped last night. I, however, did not see any bears, but Hotdog thinks he heard one just off the trail today.Around noon, we stopped for lunch near a spring around noon, with just over 6 miles left to go. After lunch, I was getting in 'town mode' and just wanting to be there. I had good views from Rattlesnake Mountain and an overlook just before the descent into Culvers Gap. We caught Footslogger (female) and Recycled just before the gap, and the four of us walked to Worthington Bakery, and found Truckin and Drew already there. This time I knew they were in front of me.I planned on getting a room at one of the two nearby motels, but they were both full. Dumb me didn't make a reservation. Pa, Dan and Bryan are coming tonight, and I don't have a place for them to stay. Great thinking. I asked about the next nearest hotels, but without a car, I wouldn't be able to get there anyway. While I was sitting in front of the bakery, pondering my dilemma, a guy sticks his head out the door and asks "Anyone want any ice cream?" Dumbfounded, we look at him and say "Uh...sure!" He goes back inside, comes back out and says "You can either come in and pick what you want or I'll just get you anything." Duh. Hotdog, Drew, Truckin and I go inside and get an ice cream, and our Trail Angel, Jim buys for us. Before he leaves Hotdog and I ask him about hotels, explaining that the two nearest are full. He offers to drive us to Port Jervis for a hotel. I don't really have a choice, and we climb in the car with him and his dog. Headed north on US206, during conversation, he asks what our trail names are. When I tell him mine, he says "I've been reading your journal." Wow! That is amazing that he's been reading, and then he's around to help me out.Before Port Jervis, we find an available hotel in Milton, PA. It's funny to me that I wanted out of PA so bad, and end up back here again. Jim said, if there were no vacancies in Port Jervis, he'd take us home. I'm glad we found something available, because he'd done enough for us. I am so thankful for the people I've met, especially those, like Jim, that have gone out of their way to help hikers. Jim has given hikers water and ice cream this year, and offered rides. A true Trail Angel! Thank you!The Milton Motel has been more than accomodating, doing our stinky hiker laundry for a small fee, suggesting a good restaurant, offering a ride to town, and even offering to help me out with my search for beer for my family when they arrive. If he offered shuttles to and from the trail, he might attract more hikers, especially if the other two hotels book up quickly. I am lucky to have found this place. Today must've been my day.After a cool shower, good meal, successful beer shopping, I'm lounging in a cool room watching TV, waiting for Pa, Bern and Dan to arrive. They won't be coming for a couple of hours yet, and it's nice to have some time to myself and relax a bit. I still don't know what my plans are for the next several days, but it doesn't matter to me what we'll be doing. I just wanna hang out with my family.Hotdog's back was bothering him today, so I'm not sure what his plans are for tomorrow. He had originally planned on hiking, but mentioned a zero if his back wasn't any better. If he's going back to the trail, I'll give him a ride in the morning.