Date: 2010-10-11
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 22.0

I had completed last nite's post and returned to the hostel for supper and was pleasantly surprised to see Sandpiper and Kite there. I had met them on the trail near the Mohican Outdoor Center. Kite had broke his pack and they were hiking back to the Delaware Water Gap. Later, when I had stopped over in Unionville NY, I almost saw them again. I met a relative who was waiting to pick them up at a road crossing. Balmer Jack did another outstanding meal and we soon retired for the evening. In the upstairs bunkhouse, K&S were along one wall, Florida man had another wall and I was against the third wall. Since I was going to be up early, I had already loaded my pack and stored it near the door and loaded up my clothes and slackpack in the downstairs bunkarea.  I got up during the night to get a drink and go to the bathroom. Rather than climbing back upstairs, I thought I'd just take one of the downstairs bunk. I was climbing into one of the bunks when I got a real surprise as Sandpiper had already done the same thing. I'm glad she didn't scream or I would have been as startled as the time I nearly stepped on the rattlesnake in CT. Hope word doesn't get back to libra Lady in the wrong wayI was up early and waiting for it to get light enough to hike. Bob came in from feeding the cats and I said my thanks and farewell. I felt good, not fret starting out. Right off the bat I broke a clutch or whatever a herd of turkeys are called from their roost. They sounded like 8 engine bombers taking off. They didn't fly far and I soon heard the hens clucking for the group to gather up.  I also broke out several grouse and saw a good size doe up very close. There are snoot of nuts on the ground, mostly acorns and I'm guessing walnuts and hickory nuts. The acorns are world classs size and in some places it's like walking on a floor full of marbles.  I also like it when an acorn falls on arock - sounds like a firecracker going offI needed to avg over 2.25 and closer to 2.50 mph to safely reach to next hostel. I stopped at the first water source and it was very sparse. Took close to 1/2 hour to get 2 liters. I was concerned about my time but figured the first part would be slower  due  to the climb and water stop. I met NOBO on the trail 3 times one was the Griswolds and their dog Otis, a boxer like Titus but without a tail. They were really SOBO thruhikers but got talked into slackpacking by Balmer Jack I was getting concerned about my pace and tried to pick it up a bit. Then realized that if there was an incident, that I'd be in a world of hurt with only a slackpack. So, I brought my pace back down to a normal, comfortable level. I had checked my map and saw a road crossing where I could skip a couple of miles. This meant missing the Mountaineer Shelter. I was disappointed to do this, but I sure wasn't interested in hiking in the dark eitherI arrived at the Mountain Harbour Hostel about 1800. Got cleaned up and had wonderful leftovers from previous night. Met Leslie (Brrr- who had worked at nuke power plant in Bay City), Tim and his Dad, Mariachi and Mary. We didn't get enough commitments in time to have the trail famous breakfast ordered - big bummer.  I ended up giving a mini camera course and then went to bedMilestone day - another 100 miles marker.  388.2 miles to SpringerLife is Great!