Date: 2012-06-25
From: Delaware Water Gap PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Officially on the trail again!!!Our shuttle left a little late, and it took longer than we expected to make the drive down to the gap, but we arrived at the trailhead at 840. Which still gave us plenty of time to hike to the Mohican Outdoor Center before dark. Just as soon as Ron (our shuttle driver) was out of sight I noticed my rain skirt was missing from the strap of my pack... and of course the day had started with rain. Although it appeared to be clearing, I wasn't really thrilled about loosing the skirt (basically a sheet of waterproof, silnylon, wrap around with velcro) that keeps my legs dry when I walk, but still allows for some airflow around my legs in theory keeping me cooler when I walk). I called back to the hotel and asked Mike if they found the skirt to leave it at the ranger station in High Point State Park since I knew I would be walking right past the visitor's center in a few days... now if the rain holds off I would be so happy! Once we walked into the little town of Delaware Water Gap, we decided to stop at the pie shop for breakfast, which consisted of one of the best egg sandwiches I have ever had! Then it was back to the trail for the real start of our adventure. I knew of the two of us I am the one in worst shape, but I also wasn't sure how Angry Bird would do since this was her first time with a backpack on. She did great and was smiling, laughing and joking all day! I was so amazed. And I couldn't have asked for a better stating partner! It always takes me a few days to get into the groove of things and having such a happy hiking partner definitely made the start of this trip better for me. While we were hiking int he afternoon we ran into another northbound (nobo) hiker named Jaws. The three of us hiked along chatting about all sorts of topics. As it turns out he needs to summit no later than Aug 28th which is much faster than I would ever hope or want to hike but since he needs to be back to school by that date he doesn't have much of a choice. A while later I asked him if he was a teacher or if he was the student... turns out he's working on his masters and a bit later he said his studies were in "Human Factors". I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard that... Angry Bird almost ran into me I stopped so quickly. Of course I knew what Human Factors is... AB was just about to ask when I turned around and said "you're at Embry Riddle in Daytona!" His eyes go wide and so did his grin, amazed that I could guess all of that! But of course I have taken Human Factors for my undergrad when I was a student at Embry Riddle. Such a small world. I find it funny for such a small technical school, Jaws is the second person on the trail I have meet associated with the school (Floyd being the first back in 09)Jaws was hiking on that day, so I figured we wouldn't see him again and said goodbye as AB and I hiked up the gravel road to the Mohican Outdoor Center. The hostel was a really nice one... with a full kitchen for our use and showers. The beds were a bit too soft for me and made my back sore (or maybe it was the 11 miles we hiked that day) but AB and I enjoyed a quiet evening with two other hikers "Lee-Bob", a thru who wasn't sure if he was going to continue to not, and Gus another section hiker like us who was only out for 3 days while visiting family on the east coast. Over all it was a great day, we made good miles in good time and I am so proud of AB for surviving her first day of backpacking!