Date: 2008-06-01
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, it was up by 7 a.m. and Gadget and Scribe took me to Wind Gap for my final day of slackpacking (man has it been nice!). They do this thing calledgeocaching, which I'm totally getting into when I get home, and there's amicro-cache right at the trailhead @ Wind Gap, so Scribe showed it to me. It'sa stick with a hollowed out end with a little tube in it, and inside the tubeyou sign on this paper where you're from, etc. She said this stick has beenthere for the past 7 years. How cool huh?I was hiking up a short 1 mile climb by 7:51 a.m. The climb wasn't bad at all,but once I reached the top a little further, there was a campsite with a grossmattress on the ground and everything. These things always creep me outbecause you never know if someone is hiding near by. I hiked swiftly by thispart.It was a perfect sunny/breezy 77 degree day. Really perfect for my last day inPA. The trail was consistently rocky (rock trail-type #1) for about the first8 miles. I can say I have officially learned how to hike on all types of rocktrail now, so that's a cool thing to know. It doesn't slow me down nearly asmuch.I was at Wolf Rocks (a scramblt of sorts) by lunchtime, so I stopped and crawled on this huge flat rock sticking out. Man, it was awesome. Warm sun, pretty breezy, I ate my crackers and a snickers and watched these 4 little birds catch the wind current and I swear to you they flew/blew past me at about 70 mph. It was hilarious. I could just hear them now..."OhhhhhhShiiiiiiitt...Haaaaaaaaang Oooooonnnnnnnnnnn!!!"It was hard to leave this place, so I layed back and enjoyed it a bit longer.Then it was on towards PA 191, which is a major road crossing. I sat there fora bit and watched all the people zoom by on their motorcycles. I was makinggreat time at about a 2.5 mph pace today. After 191, the trail was rocky inplaces but it was much friendlier and it wound around all over the place andlittle ups and downs. From PA 191 to Delaware Water Gap is Scribe's favoritepart of the PA. It's where her and Gadget trained for hiking, so that was coolto know.I only saw 1 deer today and no other significant wild life. I ran into 3 guyswith what looked like 100 lb packs going south. They looked pretty miserableand were already complaining about the rocks. I told them unfortunately, theywere hitting more before they got to the shelter. They looked less thanthrilled. I also ran into 2 people in probably their 70's who were out havinga fantastic day hike, and then a cool man by the name of Shark from NJ. Hegave me a piece of butterscotch candy and said he's got about 1100 miles hikesvia section hiking. Really nice guy.There were a few views today mainly where there was a pipeline or powerline. At one place a lady in a long skirt had a blanket thrown down and was just basking in the glory of the sun and a fantastic view. She had the right idea for sure.I headed on towards Lunch Rocks, and it had a little view, but was fun climbingover the rocks. About 3 minutes further there were 3 people sitting on theside of a hill (with absolutely no view) and they asked me if there was a viewwhere I came from. I said yes, Lunch Rocks, and they said that's where theywere headed but they thought they'd passed it. I told them how close it was,but they were unwilling to go further, so this cracked me up. They chose tosit on a hill and stare into trees, no view, no anything. I suppose that'sbetter than most suburban views thought huh?I got to Tott's Gap where you hike past a cell tower and then you hit a woodsroad for like 2 miles. It's awesome, and this road takes you to the locationof the old tower and Mount Minsi. I stopped here for a short break, it was3:00 p.m. by now. Mount Minsi was cool because it had lots of pine trees,which I love. This lady all in pink showed up huffing and puffing and goes,"Is this it? How much further does it go?" I thought she meant the trail, soI said, "Well, if you mean the trail, well it's the Appalachian Trail and itgoes all the way to Georgia." She didn't laugh (but I did inside..I thought itwas the most hilarious answer I'd given yet!). She meant to the top of themountain, so I told her she was indeed there.Then it was a nice descent into Delaware Water Gap for a few miles. There weresome steeper areas with rocks, but the rocks actually made it easier to getdown and I didn't mind. Further down there were tons of rhodadundrens, whichalmost always means you'll hit water soon. On the way down a guy came zoomingin behind me, he's thru-hiking and goes by Long Step. I see why, he disappeardin just minutes after passing me. He was all beaten up from a big fall back atthe 501 Shelter (where it's totally flat..we were laughing about that). Niceguy.On the way down you can see the Delaware River and highway 611 I think. Therewere kayakers on the river, it was a perfect day for it. I came down abeautiful wide dirt path and around a bend and there's this beautiful creekwith a small waterfall called Eureka Creek. This wasn't in any of thebooks/maps, so it was a nice surprise.Then it was more wonderful trail that ended up at Lake Lenape, a small lake with picnic tables and some benches. There was a memorial there for a kid who died in 2004. Not sure what the story was, it didn't say.I kept going down a roadish path and just before the parking area, here comesScribe up the trail. I told her I'd be there at 4:30, but it was actually4:00! I was flying today. Her mom, Eileen, and Gadget were in the van and wedecided to take the scenic route home. They took me to a foot bridge that goesover the Delaware where there used to be a geocache that was actually a fakebolt in the bridge. It was gone, however. Eileen actually grew up on theother side of the bridge in Columbia, NJ. The PA side was a town calledPortland. We all stood out on the bridge and looked at the river and theincredible view. It was a stunning day today. Apparently, this river is ahuge supplier of fresh water eels. Who knew?So we got back into the van and drove to a nearby lake and they were able toshow me the ridge I'd just hiked and pointed out the cell tower I hiked past.So weird to think I had been up there just a few hours before.I stopped at a little store and got a Dr. Pepper and a Mocha Frappucinno.Couldn't make up my mind. So, we got home around 5:00 after a lovely drive. Itook a shower, threw in my laundry again and Scott grilled burgers and dogs outon the grill. It was a tasty feast indeed. Baked beans, potato salad, greensalad, and fruit. mmmmmmmm.........I boxed up my sleeping pad and down jacket to be sent up to Hanover, NH and putmy already used maps/guidebook in an envelope to be sent home. Tomorrow Eileenwill drop me off at the post office in Delaware Water Gap to get my next set ofmaps and then I'll hike right into New Jersey..my 8th state!!!!!!!!!!YIPPY!!!!!!!! I can't believe it!!!!!!Scribe said I'm almost guaranteed to see black bear in the first 7 miles of NJ,because it goes through Worthington Park (I think) and she said she's alwaysseen bear there. I can't wait, and I really hope I get a good picture thistime.So it's almost 9:00 p.m., I've got some Ben-n-Jerry's in the freezer and I'dlike to go out and visit a bit with Eileen and Scott while my laundry dries.Then I need to pack up my pack and get some shut eye.I've been so totally spoiled in my stay here. They have carted me all over, fedme wonderful food, and welcomed me right into their family, which by theway...they are a fantastic family that is genuinely happy. I actually thingthat's a rare thing these days, so it was so refreshing to be around the Phelanenergy (that's their last name...Phelan).We've all decided to meet at a place in Baltimore, MD for beer and oysters. Ihope that happens. These people are good people and I feel so lucky to haveconnected with them because of this trail...this trail that continues to enrichmy life.So to Eileen, Scott, Scribe, Gadget, and Chase the cat, thank you thank youthank you for your hospitality. It has been SO appreciated and when Scribe andGadget get to the Shennies, Karen and I will be taking good care of them forsure.Well, goodnight folks..the journey continues.~Certain