Date: 2007-06-26
From: Pocano Inn (Delaware Water Gap) 

To: Mohican Outdoor Center 
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

Blazer is up way to early for a hotel. I swear the man never sleeps. Had a tasty breakfast at the diner with Fire Marshall. Then stopped by the Edge of the Woods outfitter, run by a goddess. I briefly entertained the idea of settling down and having hippy children. Instead, I bought stuff and headed to the post office. GG and Roto were giving away new Thorlo socks. It would be silly not to take them. They had a couple of mail drops there.        We finally started heading for the trail at 11am. Giving the sun just enough time to heat up. The news last night said, stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity. I told Blazer we should heed their advice and stay another day. We baked as we crossed the Delaware River Bridge (I-80 toll road). It was disturbing how it shook when trucks went by. The AT leaves the road at Delaware Gap recreational area. There are tourist and day hikers scattered about.         New Jersey has the highest population of bears per square mile. I have no idea how this ever happened, but there you have it. In 1999, I never say a one. Today, there is already a day hiker warning us to be careful. This was quickly followed by the Utah story where the 4 year old was eaten by a bear. A good thing we aren¢t in Utah. New Jersey has never had a bear eat anyone, so there¢s a chance to make history.        I set myself to auto-drip and slowly started the crawl up to Sunfish pond. Besides the oppressing heat, the walk was nice. After Sunfish pond, which had many no swimming signs, and just about as many wet people, the trail crawls up on to the top of a ridge. Almost a high meadow, this also brought us closer to the sun. It took us six hours to go ten miles. The heat was brutal, and am surprised I didn¢t self combust.        We do finally arrive at the Mohican Outdoor Center. It is run by the Appalachian Mountain Club, known by thru-hikers as the Appalachian Money Collectors. They mostly operate in New Hampshire and the White Mountains. The do let you camp for free, or you can pay $17 for the bunkhouse. I have two cokes and two sandwiches followed by a gallon of water. Beach Bum, Fire Marshall, and Backyard Boogie are all here.        There is a horribly annoying whipper-willow bird. It won¢t shut up. It is still really warm out, and it¢s been dark for an hour. I hear someone shooting something. I wonder if they will come shoot this bird making all the noise.         Some may be surprised that I didn¢t stay in Delaware Gap another night. I must admit I am surprised myself. It was movie night down at the Outfitters, and wing night at the bar. The truth is we are in a mad dash for Ft. Montgomery/West Point NY. Big Daddy had funded a one night stay at the Holiday Inn Express. A Jacuzzi suite even, but we have to get there by July 3rd. I think he¢s trying to hurry us up. I am weak, so I will be there with bells on.        We have time for one question from Noworries mailbag. Dear Noworries, are you on drugs? Signed Concerned. Amazingly no, but can you imagine if I was. While I can only vouch for myself, I can not speak for my transcriber. I have heard talk that he needs some sort of buzz to translate my journals, and god knows what he takes to be Big Daddy¢s roommate.       Some might have thought we would stop Noworries mail bag after the last time.