Date: 2018-05-31
From: Kirkridge shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 11.7

I'm not sure what time we left the shelter this morning. It was drizzling and foggy so it was a little later than normal. I didn't wear rain gear but dawned my pack cover and headed out after an oatmeal breakfast. Because of the fog and rain which we've had so much of in PA River and I joked about the views that aren't. I'm sure they're really there but all we see is the white cloud and we don't bother to hike over to them to look. As we were descending into a hiker parking lot we were summoned over to it by a man I have only heard of and until now never met. The man said come on over and let me get set up and cook for you guys as he hauled out a couple of camp chairs. I knew immediately this was Fresh Ground and his Leap Frog Cafe which he confirmed when I asked. I was surprised to see him this far north and absolutely delighted! He's been called by God to feed and love hikers. He travels around and camps as we do and cooks with an efficient and tidy set-up. First order of business was a mandatory hand washing and then we helped ourselves to soda, fruit, chips and such until our burgers and dogs were ready, complete with a delicious southern slaw. We enjoyed our time here with Fresh Ground and his Cafe. I left a donation in the bin and we moved on to Delaware Water Gap which was waiting at the bottom of the hill. River and I were going to cross that bridge today!We stopped at the church of the mountains hostel and said hello to Thumper and goodbye to T-Bird. The end of PA was the end of the line for him. We thanked the other hikers there for being so quiet and courteous this morning when they left. The bunk room here really smells bad. But we used the restroom and took a quick shower. Overdrive and Panther who hiked the trail last year are traveling thru and stopped by to visit with hikers. They offered to bring River and I to the bakery for a hot coffee and the bank for the ATM. We had a wonderful visit with them and admire their current travel plans in their customized suburban. Great fun! When they dropped us back at the church it was time for us to put on our packs and head to NJ. We still had 5.3 miles to go and it was getting late. My feet hit the bridge over the Delaware river and my emotions were high. I was exuberant and yet in tears. I made a Marco Polo video message for Brian so he could cross the border with me and I cried. He's my biggest trail angel and provides me more trail magic than I could ever get from anyone else. My being here is his trail magic and I'm so grateful. River and I stopped for water at a creek at the edge of a parking area and I used the port-a-potty there. Then we headed up a steady 3 mile ascent to the Backpackers campground and pitched our tents in the rain. We met Beach Bum and Irish A F there, who's uncle James had supplied us some trail magic a day or two before. After dinner we stowed our food in the bear box and turned in for the night. What a day. There had been something bothering me for a week or so. But we agreed that it was left back in Delaware Water Gap and we both felt lighter and more free now. We're so happy to be in NJ!