Date: 2014-07-10
From: Mountain of Gods Hostel Del. Water Gap

To: 1303 Campsite
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Rained last nite but it was warm. Up at 6:30 but no hurry today since the Outfitters doesn't open till 10. Will try to resupply and have breakfast in town. Will probably get new socks.Dried the tent with a towel and partially packed up. Obsidian and I went to the Village Farmer for breakfast. Had tea, pastry and French Toast sausage and egg sandwich. We then went to the 2 convenience stores for resupply. Very limited selection and high prices. I didn't get anything but Obsidian did get a few items. This would be a place for a mail drop for food. Returned to the Hostel at 9:45 and finished packing up. Then we went to the Outfitters. I got a pair of socks but they didn't have the Sawyer bladder for Obsidian. I ended up selling him my 1 liter one.Headed out on the trail at 10:55 which was a late start. Frankie the Sleeper stopped by the Hostel before we left. He stayed at the motel last night.The trail went thru town then past the maintance buildings for the bridge then we crossed the Delaware on the I80 Bridge. At times the bridge was vibrating due to the trucks. Finished Penn and am now in New Jersey. Hopefully the rocks have ended. We then went by the Visitor Center then under I80. The parking lot at the trailhead was very full. We had a gentle climb up a smooth trail for the next 1 1/2 miles. We passed lots of day hikers and was making good time. We arrived at the Backpacker Camp Area at 12:35 then got to Sunfish pond. The trail went around the pond but was rocky. Obsidian did know the sound of the bullfrogs which were plentiful. Lots of people fishing and picnicing.The trail then became as rocky as we had experienced in PA. Stopped for lunch at a stream. Frankie the Sleeper had already eaten and was traveling on. I had limited lunch choices since I had no tuna salad or bread. I had 2 Labars and peanut butter and Cream cheese.We were moving slowly and encountered a deer which ignored us and just stood by the side of the trail. Soon after Obsidian spotted something on the right side of the trail. A BEAR. Just eating and walking slowly thru the woods. So I finally have seen a bear after almost 1300 miles.The trail then was on the ridge line with great views of the valleys but large rock section on the trail. Got to the trail to the Mohican Outdoor Center and ran into Sherba Mom and Waldo who were coming from the center. Offered us a soda. We then headed onto the trail. At about 4:45 it started to rain but we had anticipated it again and had our pack covers on already. It wasn't a hard rain just a rain. Our boots got wet again. We had a moderate rocky climb up the hill. No views due to the rain. Stopped at the lookout tower. I just went up halfway. By then the rain had stopped. The last mile was slow going because of the rocks. Past a group of campers. Got to Rattlesnake Spring then looked for the campsite. Arrived at 6:20. Put up the tent bear bagged and dried clothes. Made dinner of pasta side which is still not that tasty. About 8:15 Golly Green Giant and Affirmed arrived. They had left Delaware Water Gap at 3. In my tent by 9. Applied some zinc oxide to my feet.A slow start of the day with a good breakfast. Still lots of rocks which are hard on the feet and slow going. Varied terrain today from sidewalks to bridges to flat smooth trail to rocky trail. Weather was also varied - started cloudy then sunny then rainy. Rain did stop before we got to camp.Three milestones today - 1300 miles crossed, another state finished, and my first bear sighting.