Date: 2003-08-01
From: Downingtown, PA

To: High Point State Park, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

"This above all else - to thine own self be true."                        William Shakespeare So I woke the other morning (July 19th) and realized I was sick of hiking. Imagine that! Foxie, being the Gemini she is, hit the nail on the head. She asked if I was bored with hiking. Yes, that was it, I am bored. I was 6 miles into a 17 mile day, checked my data book and realized that there was a significant road ahead and thought I'd make a decison there. About a half mile before the road, the gang and I met up for a snack. I mentioned my idea and a guy hiking with Sidewnder overheard and said his car was at the road....it was Kismet, meant to be, it happened. But not before miss Chloe rockstar went on a jaunt through the woods and ended up in a creek, pack and all. nice! Keith and Adam were headed to Harrisburg and gave us a lift, me and a drenched Chloe piled into his car and headed the wrong way. Long story short, we nearly ran out of gas. Wouldn't that have been ironic, I bail off the trail and end up hiking 17 miles anyway! The guys dropped me off up the street from cousin Kathys' house and I used their phone to call my folks. Thanks tons to the Vanderwoudes of H'burg...I actually broke into their house while they were on vacation. I then hung out by the river (Susquehanna) until I was picked up by Mom & Dad. While I was off the trail, I went to the beach - something I have been itching to do for weeks. Chloe loved it! So here I am slack packing near Branchville, New Jersey. I am disco camping at a camping resort. Lets just say, the bingo game appears to be a big hit. I actually thought about heading down to play. My plan now, is to day hike the remaining (7) AT states, working my way north to Monson, ME. At that point I'll leave the car and finish with the 100 mile wilderness and Katahdin. I am bored with hiking but definitely feel I need a sense of completion. I think and hope this will do the trick. One thing I have learned these last few months is I truly have regretted many of my lifes' decisions. I won't bore you with details, but lets just say..."regrets, I've had a few" so now I am trying everything im my power to avoid more regret. I have the opportunity to do this trip...here I go again...."my way" and if I choose to stop or give up it is just that, my choice...but I know I will then regret squandering this opportunity. so, I am going to do this. even though I am not that excited about being here. Look at me! I'm in my tent in a thunderstorm in a camping resort. Oh God shoot me now! But I am also stubborn and pig headed sometimes and, well, here I am. So tomorrow a stop at the famous Worthington Bakery, a short hike up to the highest point in New Jersey and the off to New York to hopefully camp in a state park. I had planned to camp at High Point State Park., but they don't allow dogs. Hopefuly New York is different. Or maybe I could disguise Chloe... One thing is very telling... you know you're in the north, when a pack of cigarettes costs MORE than a 6 pack. 6 pack of Yuengling...$5.50pack of Marlboro...$6.60! on sale for $5.95...WOW! peace and positivity,Molasses