Date: 2015-06-25
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

When I got into my tent last night to sleep, there were fireflies landing on my screen, with their "lights" on, and I was reminded of the very first night I camped in it last summer, in my friend's backyard. Oh, how long ago that seems now! And how different a person I am today than I was then, in so many ways. It is like I am living a second lifetime, out here on the Trail.I was so relieved to wake up this morning knowing that there was no rush to get up, pack up, and get going...I think I wasn't out of the tent until 7:30. The night had been fair and cool, wonderful for sleeping, but my rain fly was damp from dew and condensation, so I left it standing for the sun to dry off, while I moved my belongings into the bunk room to claim a spot for tonight. After OJ (bought at a gas station convenience store in town yesterday) and a phone recharge, I walked back to Farmers Bakery for breakfast: french toast made with cinnamon raisin bread and some scrambled eggs and coffee. I did other chores today too, at an easy pace: washing my hike clothes (in a bucket under an outside spigot) and drying them in the sun...buying and mailing a few post cards to trail angels who have helped me...getting new pair of "Darn Tough" brand socks at ourfitter, since the ones I've been wearing for 1300 plus miles finally wore a hole through...lunch at the little Italian place in town, followed by a white-chocolate-macadamia cookie sandwich with cream filling from the bakery I'd had my eye on since yesterday. When in town, one of the goals is to gain back a few of the pounds lost while on the Trail before going out to lose them once again. I may go out even heavier tomorrow because on Thursday evenings the church that runs the hostel holds a hiker feed/pot luck dinner, all-you-can-eat, and I've heard rumors of an ice cream machine being part of the party...maybe with fresh blueberries tonight. I said I would report back about bugs, scratching, etc. Some days there are bugs. Other days not so many. When they are fierce I resort to spray - on deet. I think I've done so 3 times. Otherwise, I go without, and usually get bit, but lately it hasn't been too awful. I admit to scratching them at first, to let the itch out. The real battle is trying to keep from scratching the scabs off later. I'm only partway successful with that.It's also time for a foot report. Two weeks ago my Plantar fasciitis was so painful that I thought I would have to leave the Trail. I tried some things to help relieve it, and hung in there. I'm still taking Aleve every day, stretching it, massaging it, and wearing PF insoles. Sometimes I have a few miles or hours in the morning where my foot isn't too bad, or I hardly notice it. But as the day wears on and more miles are walked, even if I take breaks, it is quite sore by end of hike day. Sometimes I feel almost nauseous, though not often. The PA rocks have not helped matters. I am hoping once I'm out of them I will have a little less discomfort. I'm not doing the bigger - mile days I was used to doing, but with steady "short" days, am still able to keep good weekly mileage overall. The zero today was needed, as I have not taken one since Front Royal over 300 miles ago! I will stay on the Trail and keep walking until Maine, or until I no longer can. Thank you to all who have asked about, encouraged, given advice, prayed for, or cheered me on through the foot trouble. I sincerely appreciate your well-wishes Keep up the good work leaving notes in my guest book!