Date: 2004-07-19
From: Travel Inn - Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

I should have checked for myself instead of taking someone else's word. The post office opened at 8:30, not 8:00, so our lift 1.6 mile uphill was cut in half. We had to walk the final .8 mile just to begin our day. Sounds pretty funny, doesn't it? After all, we've already walked nearly 1280 miles; what's another .8?! The issue, of course, is that the .8 doesn't count as AT hiking. So we always moan and groan, then walk it anyway. By day's end it's forgotten.My last two days' journals were not very positive and not well written. Putting into words the emotions that hit me after I crossed the rockface of that mountain coming out of Lehigh Gap was as difficult and intense as making the crossing. In retrospect, I believe I was more frightened for my trail sister, Ursa Minor, than for myself. Once I was moving and could see what lay in my path I was fine. The panic struck as I watched her and waited as she attempted to find the safest route. Her fear of heights caused some very wise and cautious stops to survey the scene ahead of her. Meanwhile I had gotten too close behind her. At one point I was actually leaning against a flat slab at a 75-degree angle, holding on with my hands to a ledge above, with my feet splayed out on a six-inch ledge below. That lasted a few minutes and then my legs started to shake. So I told Ursa Minor she had to move because I had to move! That only served to make her more nervous; we were both an emotional mess afterwards.That day with its rock scramble has become a pivotal moment for me. I've walked all these miles, 15 weeks, 107 days, and have yet to master the art of enjoying the journey more than striving for a goal. Too much mental energy has been expended calculating time, mileage, and dates, both short-term and long-term. Now all I want is simply to get to Katahdin -- in one piece!! It doesn't matter who is ahead or behind me, nor how far. The goal is Katahdin, not 2.5 miles per hour or 20-mile days. Someone please remind me of this two weeks from now. Fast forward -- back to today. The clock struck 9:00 as we started the climb out of town. Climbs are climbs and requires physical work no matter what. But, obviously, today's climb required much less exertion than those of the Smoky Mountains. Our highest point today was 1500 feet; 10 minutes and we were up on the ridge. Pennsylvania rocks were prevalent the first eight miles, giving us not even 50 feet of relief. We must look like a couple of drunkards coming down the trail as we dance and prance back and forth in an attempt to avoid the sharp and slippery rock surfaces. Perfect hiking weather graced us today, overcast and cool, no bugs. Aside from yet another developing blister on Ursa Minor's toes, the day was uneventful and passed quickly.Two exciting landmarks have now appeared on our radar screen. We have fewer than 900 miles to go and we are .2 mile from the New Jersey border!Pastor Karen welcomed us to this church hostel this evening. We walked in as the chimes were playing hymns. I had been hearing them from half a mile away. With the emotions of the past two days still hanging heavy on my soul, I truly thought I was going to burst into tears. Instead, I was in a hallelujah frame of mind. The descent off the ridge into town brought us through a much more beauteous, lush environment. Rhododendron tunnels, a rushing creek, an evergreen needle floor, moist cool forest air, and an early evening sunbeam shining through the trees brought my spirit back to life.And to complete the magic of the day, Rooney Tunes is here; we've caught up with him once again! Tom and Crazy J are here also and now Harry has appeared on the scene. Rooster and Ski Bum complete the roll call.We're headed to Maine, one huge marvelous family of crazy hikers. We can conquer anything the trail throws at us; we'll make lemonade out of lemons; we'll take the bitter with the sweet; we'll persevere; we'll endure; and we will succeed ... rockface mountains and all! Life is good.