Date: 2003-06-25
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter 

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: few clouds

I didn't use my earplugs last night, and all three guys in the shelter were snoring at some point, but I must've been tired enough to ignore it, because I fell back asleep quickly after awakening. At 6:25 I was awake, and not drifting back to sleep, so I started getting ready for the day. Hotdog and I got on the trail around 7:45.Supposedly, the section of trail we were to travel today had the "bad rocks". When we got to that section, I kept wondering where the bad stuff was. There were rocks... all over the place. But they weren't any worse than I'd enountered already. MAYBE they were more continuous, but not worse. And not horrible. I think, and have thought for a while, that it's one of the biggest trail rumors. I'm not saying I liked it. It was difficult. It was annoying. It just wasn't WORSE than what I'd already done. I'd prefer to be able to put my feet down on a level surface, and not feel a rock poking up in the middle of my foot. I'd rather not have to worry about spraining an ankle or stubbing my toes with every step, but that's not the way the trail goes. Not in Pennsylvania.There were some good views today, as it was sunny again. As soon as I woke up today, I knew I wanted to go all the way to DWG, and not stop at Kirkridge Shelter, about 7 miles south of DWG. Maybe that's why I got up and going so early today. I told Hotdog my thoughts and he agreed. We made pretty good time, even over the "bad rocks" and arrived at Kirkridge Shelter around 2pm. We had lunch there, and so did Trog, then we all headed north, toward town.The view from Mt. Minsi was awesome! I could see the Delaware River, and then realized, I was almost out of Pennsylvania! What a great feeling. Plus, there are now less than 900 trail miles left to conquer. I never thought I'd look at '900 miles' and think that is a small number, but I do think that. I realize that also means a long haul still ahead, but it makes me feel good to have the milestones fall, one by one.I met many interesting people today, on the trail. First at Kirkridge Shelter then farther north on the trail, I met a group of youngsters dayhiking to DWG. It was quite hot today, and I wondered if they had enough water, as it didn't appear many had more than 1 liter. They seemed to be having a good time though, and whenever we saw them after the shelter, they'd say "Hey, there's our hiker friends again!" That's pretty cool.I also saw a young father headed up Mt. Minsi with his daughter in a kid-carrier backpack. He was a double amputee, and had two artificial legs. It made me think just how lucky I am. It also made me wonder if I don't take my little aches and pains too seriously. I could end my pain by quitting this hike, but this man will never get his legs back. I wanted to say something to him, tell him how much I admire him for .. well, for LIVING. Many people in his situation wouldn't go on with normal activities. I like to think, if something disabling happened to me, that I could find a way to make the best of it, and keep on doing things that make me happy. It was humbling to see him hiking, but I am glad I did. I'll keep in mind, that things could always be worse.At the hostel tonight are Hiking Viking, Fish, Truckin, Hotdog, Truck, Dude Machine, Footslogger, Snack Attack, Cuss, and myself. Snack Attack and Cuss are sleeping in the living area, one on the couch, and one on the floor. It is so wonderful that the Church of the Mountain lets hikers stay here for a donation. We get shower, towel, restroom, and a bunk... for free. That is awesome, and amazing.I am still having a good time on this trip. I enjoy meeting people, and hiking with new people. I feel like they are instant friends. Unfortunately, the meetings are often brief, and I won't see them again. But for the time I'm talking to them or hiking with them, I feel my life is being made better. I had lost some faith in mankind, but so far, this hike has proven to me that people are generally good. And there are many people that will go out of their way to help strangers. Those people will be blessed. They are what has helped make this such a wonderful experience! I am a lucky person.