Date: 2003-06-06
From: Kirkridge Shelter 

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA 
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Aloha! Wuhuu! For a variety of reasons this has been a pretty super day. Not the least of which is where I'm staying for the night. As always, I'll get to that in a short. You know me, I must start at the beginning.   In the beginning... Step'n Wolf, his father, now called Barnabus after the inspirational biblical Barnabus, and I awoke to a crystal clear blue-sky day with the birds singing like they hadn't in days. (They hadn't.) We were all out and on our separate ways early. They southward across the rocks and me northward to Delaware Water Gap (aka DWG). The last town before crossing into New Jersey. Wuhuuuu! I almost felt like running to town. And possibly would have had there been an ice cream truck in front of me and no rocks... The walk in was quite nice actually. A few areas of the feet hating rocks but overall a nice meandering path. It crossed a couple of vistas, babbling brooks, small waterfalls, and relatively gentle terrain. Quite a pleasant change since entering PA.   Since the hike in was a mere six miles I was here in no time at all. Here is the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hiker Hostel. Another wonderful and surprising place open to long distance and thru-hikers only.    The Hostel is operated year-round for long-distance hikers only (vehicle supported folks or bikers are not allowed). The hostel has a basement room with bunks, hot shower and towels, and a sitting room. If its crowded, which it certainly isn't today, hikers may use the Matthew Kolb Shelter behind the annex or you can pitch a tent on the church lawn. The only thing requested is a $3 donation for a second night's stay. The hikers are also invited to join the Sunday worship service in their hiker attire. To top it all off there are free Sunday afternoon concerts (often jazz) are held throughout the summer. They even offer up the piano, organ and a guitar for the musical hikers missing their music. This place is great! We haven't seen the pastor or anyone else affiliated with the hostel but it doesn't seem to matter. It just seems to work. And well!   Upon my arrival I found Bono, She-Ra (both having been sucked into an additional day doing nothing), Quasi and Tubs. All were spewing forth the virtues of the place but determined to hike out the ten miles to the Mohican Outdoor Center campground. Bono once again was doing his best to convince me that there was another 10 miles in me. There may have been but it wasn't going to happen today. Nope, I was here to stay.   It had begun to look like I was going to be the only person here for the evening when Retread walked in. Haven't seen him in a couple of days. Seems he thought he could sit out the rain elsewhere. Silly man. Shortly thereafter ChuckLuck sauntered in with three new-to-me hikers - Igor (18), Smeagal (18) and Chaos (21). My quiet evening was still a quiet one but with a little more youth and vitality.   With everyone off to the local pizza/beer parlor Retread and I chose the more mature diner. Interesting selection of entr©es. In my case I semi enjoyed a Mac-n-cheese with crab cakes and stewed tomato dinner. See what I mean? It was good but I can't say it'll be something I make at home often.   The rest of my evening was spent opening my "Christmas goodies" so to speak. A resupply box was sent here with 5 days of food. Tasty looking foodstuffs! Spaghetti, black beans and rice, chili mac, chicken salads, and many other goodies. Wonderful. All has arrived and is perfect. I don't have to pick up anything. Mahalo Char. You're the best!   Besides my wonderful food box I had another awesome surprise. I'm so excited! When I called home I was informed that there was a possible surprise for me if I was staying in town. Not being told what it was made the anticipation even higher. Shortly thereafter I listened to a message on my cell phone from...Lady Hawk! For you folks that don't know her, Lady Hawk is a gal that I met early on in my 2001 hike and then began hiking with at Clingmans Dome in the Smokies. She, a woman named Monya, and I hiked along together for a while looking like three generation family to some. The fact that we didn't look alike at all didn't seem to matter. Anyway, it was wonderful times and with the exception of driving to Waynesboro, VA to see her and PeeWee when they passed through in '01 I haven't seen her since. Well, she's two hours away and we're going to get together. Wuhuu! After calling her we've decided to meet in Bear Mountain, NY which is also two hours drive for her since it was already late in the day here. This is so awesome! It will be absolutely fantastic to see her again. I'm so excited! Let's sing! Besides Christmas and Lady Hawk, that's about it. My boys are gone and the youngsters are in bed. Think I should do the same. That's what a short day into town is all about - food, errands, rest, and more rest. Now I rest some more. Good night.BS&Ts: nadaA&Ps: feet are tired but happy to be here.M&Gs: too damned much food! Waah! Not!Critter count: 3x deer (finally!)