Date: 2009-06-10
From: Wind Gap, Pennsylvania

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania
Miles today: 115.4
Weather: light rain

Friends and Trailfollowers:I haven't been goofing off, I've been hiking! Since Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, I've only had one evening in town with access to a computer. Since in Pennsylvania you can't buy beers at a convenience store - only a bar; I spent my 'internet access' night walking a few more miles to find some Yuengling Lagers. Priorities, my friends...Pace and Projected TimingLet's bring you up to date. I got back on the trail on May 17. This was after my sabbatical from my sabbatical (Alaska and the Trail Days Festival in Damascus, VA). In those 25 days, I hiked everyday for a total of 470 miles or 18.8 miles per day. For the 82 days that I've hiked (excluding 'zero' days) I have averaged 15.65 miles per day. For the 103 total days since my February 28th start in Springer Mountain, GA (including zero and sabbatical days) I have averaged 12.46 miles per day.Since getting back on the trail, I have had twelve days of hiking which exceeded 20 miles pr day. That 18.8 MPD average includes one 'nero' day (I only hiked one mile on 5/26).During May, I have had the good fortune of great weather and the moderate terrain of the Shenendoah National Park. This was later offset by the more difficult and rocky terrain of PA combined with more consistent afternoon thunderstorms.So I have finished up the 544 miles of Virginia, moved quickly through the relatively short sections of West Virginia and Maryland and have come to the end of the 232 miles of Pennsylvania. On June 10 I reached the Delaware Water Gap, which is the eastern border of PA and New Jersey.New Jersey consists of 72 miles. The AT mileage in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts is 88, 51 and 90 miles respectively. I expect to keep my accelerated pace up through these states. Of course the trail gods will continue to pull the levers on temperature, precipitation and terrain.Friends, as I approach the metropolitan New York area, now is the time to look at a map and find out when I am getting close to your house. I have had many people try to outdo one and other by overwhelming me with food and hospitality. I think this is your opportunity to join in on this fray!Just think of the vagabonds you could attract with a good gastronomical review in one of my future Trail Journal entries! It starts simply; a strong water pressured shower and a bar of lye soap...Home in CharlotteAfter hiking into Delaware Water Gap today, my friend and former colleague,Casey Zmijeski drove out to pick me up and shuttle me back to his home in Chatham, NJ. He successfully plied me with beers and a burger at a local joint while watching a Yankee-Red Sox game on HDTV. His wife Laura put them into contention for "Trail Angels of the Month" with a breakfast of 'french bread' french toast the next morning and a ride to Newark Airport.Thanks, Team Zmijeski!I was successful in getting a stand-by 'first class' upgrade to Charlotte. My daughter Shannon graduates on Friday, June 12, followed by her 18th birthday on the 13th.I'm back on a flight to Newark on the 14th and back on the Appalachian Trail later that afternoon. Some more Trail Angel magic will be shuttling me from Newark to the Delaware Water Gap via the long standing team of Hurley/Stubbs. Pat Hurley is a hometown friend from upstate New York. No telling what her husband, David and she will do to win June Trail Angel of the Month honors. Competition is good!Hiking Family of the ATPlease click through the pictures on this latest Journal entry. You will see two pictures of a family that I encountered on the trail on June 4. This may be the most inspiring thing that I have encountered on the Trail. One Lucky Man, his wife, Veggie Mama and their two daughters, With Flowers in her Hair (age 5) and Peep-Peep (age 3) were walking south that day, while I was heading north, along a section of Blue Mountain. I was alone that morning and working on a 22-mile day. Here approaching me, was this family of four from Knoxville, Tennessee. They were out for a 25-day, 170 mile, section hike of the Appalachian Trail from southern PA to Harpers Ferry, WV. Flowers in Her Hair, carrying a proportionally full backpack, was proud to announce that she had bequeathed her "Peep-Peep" trailname to her younger sister.While they would only 'average' 6.8 miles per day; can you imagine taking a typical child away from the comforts of home for 25 days?! And this was obviously not With Flowers in Her Hair's first trail hike.After five minutes of pleasantries we said our farewells and headed down our respective paths. After a hundred feet of thought, I turned and yelled back if I could take their picture. To be honest, I think I look forward to talking about these two photos more than all the snake, deer and bear photos of my trip.Rocks of PennsylvaniaAnother point of interest in my recent batch of photos: the rocks. The AT in Pennsylvania is not majestic or spectacular in vistas. But what it has a monopoly on: rocks on the trail. AT thru-hikers have a theory they banter about after a long day of rock-hopping. It basically contends that PA is unspectacular so they make it memorable. These PA rocks seem to all be on edge with very limited space between them. I won't whine any further, but please look carefully at the terrain of the latter photos in this gallery.Friends Along the TrailI only half-jokingly try to encourage 'Trail Magic' that directly benefits me. Trail Magic is good. I just want to thank trail friends, Clydesdale, Da'Follower, Gary and Deb Bockrath, Bob and Lenore Fisher, Mr. Rubble and the Zmijeski family for all their kindnesses along my last couple hundred miles. I probably fell short of directly expressing how important your kindnesses were to my trail psyche. Having an outlet of conversation that does not always include miles, terrain, trail food or zero days is incredibly refreshing. I know other AT thru-hikers that are without these outlets, crave them. Some AT hikers are noticeably jealous of my off-trail diversions.I can't think of a greater compliment. Stay in touch and I look forward to seeing you down the trail.