Date: 2004-04-26
From: Wind Gap,PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: light rain

Log entry: 86Start time: 0730End time: 1745Morning weather: Rainy and coolAfternoon weather: Steady rain all dayEvening weather: Rain stopped I thinkBreakfast: Chocolate cupcakesLunch: Ham buns and a Boston creme pieDinner: Hamburger Helper potato stroganoffTrail description: The climb out of the gap was short and steep and once the ridgewalk began the rocks became present once again. They were tough again today. The worst ones were the big boulder hopping stretches where the rocks were very slick. They really slowed me down. The rocks continued up into New Jersey. I have heard from several sources that the first 40 miles of NJ are tough. Only 30 more to go!!!People: Trooper a SOBO, then Chris and Chris @ the MOC. Animals: Deer and lots of squirrelsMoney spent: $4.95 for the creme pie and $12 for the bunk roomBiggest complaints: After about 20 miles my feet totally busted big timeThoughts: I had everything packed up when I went to bed except for breakfast and my toothbrush. Efficiency is one of my biggest liabilities. It bugs me that after 3 months on the trail it still takes about 45 minutes to pack up in the morning. I was hoping to whittle that to like 20 minutes but I have only attained that goal a couple of times. Always room for improvement.It was a little disheartening heading out in the cold rain but my feet feltgreat.The rocks were bad again today but I closed out PA and only have 30 miles leftuntil the meadows start again. I had my first and only fall in PA. I planted my left foot and as I raised my right my left foot skidded back. My right didn't have a chance to find a spot and I went down with my right knee and elbow taking the brunt of it. I sat stunned for a second and hauled myself up to find myself alright. A quick prayer of thanks and I was on my way. The scary thing was that I was moving slow and taking my time. It just goes to show you that the rocks are unforgiving. On the whole the rocks weren't as bad as I expected. I expected more of the terrain from the last 2 days throughout the whole state. 30 more miles...I picked up a package at the Post office in Delaware Water Gap. I got my fleecetop back and I sent my windproof home, should save about 5 ounces. I have yet to need the windproof asset. I also got a new t-shirt to replace my blue one which I wore the back out of. I also have my brother-in-law's winter bivy to add some warmth to my bag.I then passed through town to the bakery and bought the creme pie to eat asdessert. They also gave me a free doughnut. Score.I checked out the gear shop but was disapointed. I was hoping to maybe pickupsome shoes but the selection was rather deplorable. So I ate lunch on the porch.My mom tossed in some drawings from my nieces. Bria, age 3, drew some people and even wrote her name. Sierra, 15 months, drew "applesauce".After lunch I headed back out of town and sent my jacket and tattered shirt backhome then headed across the bridge into New Jersey. I resisted the temptation to do some crude act back at the state of Pennsylvania, but I didn't. PA wasoverall good to me. 30 more miles of rocks to go...The NJ rocks were just as bad as the worst of PA. This in addition to passingthe 20 mile mark for the day started my feet hurting. By the end of the day they felt worse as ever. There is something painful about crossing the 20 mile mark every day. Oh well, can't be candy and nuts everyday.The road leading to the Mohican Outdoor Center was a welcome sight. I checked in at the lodge and made my wayto the bunkhouse where I met Chris and Chris whowere doing a section hike from Culvers gap to wind gap. The one Chris fromMaryland has family in Holland,MI. He was at Tulip Time last year. "It wassomething". The other Chris is from Massachusets.I took a nice long shower then went over my food drop. After making sure I hadadequate supplies I made dinner in the kitchen. I went with Hamburger Helperbecause it is the hardest to clean up after and I might as wel take advantage ofthe sink and soap.After eats I chatted a bit with the boys and now I am journaling to some rockstation. I've heard blink-182 and Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepelin. I plan tolimp up to the lodge next and send this home. After that I am going to go overthe next 4 days and try to plan those out. I will be sleeping in tomorrow by the way.Slight change of plans. It's too foggy and dark outside for me to find my wayback to the lodge. I'll have to send this out in the morning.