Date: 2015-06-26
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: 1,298.7 campsite, NJ
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

Up at 7:30am after one of my better nights of sleep in nearly 90 days. It would've only been better had I went to sleep earlier. We quickly packed all our gear, downed some blueberry muffins and water, and were dropped off at the trail by 8:30am. We thanked Ali and Steve, wished each other well on our respective journeys, and were soon climbing and heading out of the gap.The morning hours passed quickly as we chatted occasionally, but I mainly stuck to listening to music as I suffered with each painful step due to my blister. We made it to Wolf Rocks and relaxed in some shade as we ate, fighting off the urge to pass out on the hard, yet comfortable rocks. With the goal being to reach Delaware Water Gap at a decent time, we continued on making good time through Fox Gap and Tott's Gap. We reached Mt. Minsi, ~2.5 miles from town, and with it all being downhill, we relaxed a bit as we continued down. With Moosehead leading the way, we were cruising downhill when he suddenly stopped and he realized he hadn't seen a white blaze in a while. Neither had Burnsides and I. Crap. We turned around and began making our way back up the rock-strewn path, feeling stupid that none of us has been paying attention. Eventually we found where we had made our mistake, but did agree it was an easy turnoff to miss. We stacked up some limbs in the path to help hikers not make the same mistake.We continued down the mountain, passing groups of day hikers out enjoying the weather and scenery. We stopped briefly at Lookout Rock, offering a birdseye view of the Delaware Water Gap - 2 towering rocky mountains above, and the Delaware River meandering through below. From our vantage point we could see a few civilians swimming, canoeing, and fishing as well as an endless stream of traffic speeding between Pennsylvania and New Jersey along I-80. We eventually reached a spot where Burnsides and I just began jogging down the mountain for no particular reason, leaving Moosehead behind. We strolled into Delaware Water Gap, PA with one thing on our minds (2 for me) - find a place we could charge our gadgets, and preferably enjoy some Coke. Our requirements led us to Doughboy's Pizza, an overpriced though decent enjoy pizzeria catering to tourists. We were able to relax, charge gadgets, and eat a little. I had 2 slices of cheesy pizza packed with f'n grease, and 7 garlic knots. They didn't offer free refills, but $1 refills instead. When I inquired about the price of a 2-liter, I was told $4. $4 dollars? Are you kidding me? Anyways, I had a 2-liter to myself so whatever. I was also able to write up yesterday's journal entry without wasting any precious battery. A gentlemen was very curious about our journey and asked us all a lot of questions which we were happy to answer. Moosehead and Burnsides took off as I retired to the restroom for deuce #2 on the day. I pounded fists with the gentleman as I left and was soon back on trail.The trail led out of Delaware Water Gap and onto I-80 which passes over the Delaware River as it enters the Delaware Water Gap NRA. Halfway over the river we officially crossed into New Jersey, leaving Pennsylvania and its rocks behind. Riding a high that comes with reaching another milestone, it was quickly ruined after doing something stupid. As I was taking a quick picture of the state border, a semi drove by causing the bridge to shake, and with it my trekking poles that were leaning on the rails. I watched in slow motion as my poles tipped and began falling. "Oh no." "Why am I not doing anything?" And finally "Fml." were my last thoughts as I watched one of my poles fall through the opening of the rails and down ~30ft into the water below. My first thought was screw it and to embrace the experience; the second, however, was that I needed it not only to hike, but to be able to replace with REI should I need to. Luckily I spotted a man and woman, each in a cable and kayak, fishing with their boats pointed away from me. I walked over so that I was in line with them and let out my loudest "Ewww weeeeeeee!" to get their attention over the constant roar of traffic just feet behind me. After a couple of moments of motioning to them that I had dropped a pole and not that I was showing them how cool my one pole in my hand was, they finally got the idea. Though they initially appeared annoyed (fishermen, eh?) the girl paddled over, retrieved my pole, and met me on the New Jersey side after I fought through a thicket of brush to reach the water. I apologized profusely out of embarrassment, ney, just inconveniencing them, for I thought it was all kinda funny. Worse comes to worse, I could've easily swam out and snagged it. However, the young woman saved me from doing so and I was greatly appreciative.I continued another mile, paralleling I-80 via a side road, until I reached the Kittatinny Visitor Center so I could score another national park passport stamp. I headed down to a beach along the river and took a couple quick photos, retired to a bathroom for deuce #3, and was finally back on the trail for my last push of the day, ~4 miles and ~900ft uphill to my current campsite. I pictured New Jersey having no rocks and being lined with beautiful women welcoming me, but all I found was more rocks. They were more navigable than Pennsylvania, however, and I covered these last miles in relative ease, rolling in just after 7:00pm.I spotted Burnsides chatting with a ridge runner who happens to be camping on our location tonight. A younger guy, possibly late 20's, he thru-hiked last year and is now 1 of 3 ridge runners in New Jersey. The coolest thing? He was carrying a pack loaded with different drinks. He began listing them off, starting with Coke, which I said stop, perhaps too quickly. He gave me 2. What a solid welcome to New Jersey. I set up my tent, preparing for rain overnight, and finally decided to address my blister. After pulling my throbbing foot from my smelly socks, I noticed the blister had spread into the area between my big and second toe, the size of nearly 2 quarters. Using my mail clippers, I cut 2 incisions and drained all the liquid out. Though the area is still sensitive, I did notice an instant relief of pressure and it feels much better. Hopefully being cautious will help heal it.Moosehead, Burnsides, and I all seemed to want private time as we journaled so we found our own spots around this large, grassy campsite overlooking Pennsylvania to the west. I found a downed log that I was able to recline on as I currently journal. I did spot several ticks approaching me from different directions on the log that I gladly flicked away. With a Coke by my side, plentiful blueberry bushes nearby, and fine sunset offering a final good view of Pennsylvania, things couldn't get much sweeter tonight. Tonight and tomorrow calls for rain, but today was a good day. A damn good day.Here's to no more [Pennsylvania] rocks, 2 fishermen in the right place at the right time, and an ice cold Coke as I enter New Jersey.