Date: 2015-07-16
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: stealth camp past Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

We got out of the room around 9am and went down for breakfast. It is a really lovely hotel, comfortable bed and nice amenities. I had to laugh at a comment in my journal where Truck called me a "Hilton" girl. Ha! I stayed at the Doyle! Doesn't that get me some cred? Breakfast room was filled with energetic girls and dance Moms- there is a competition somewhere nearby. Dance moms are interesting. I wonder if my soccer mom friends and I were as intense, back in the day , when my daughter traveled a lot for tournaments. Probably!We got our packs and called a cab and waited outside for it. While we waited we talked to a few dance Moms outside smoking, and we talked to a guy who lived at the hotel. His home had burned down and he was in a suite with his family. He said there were several families living there because of various disasters. It is an insurance covered pick because the rooms have kitchens. As nice as the hotel was, that must be very difficult.Well over an hour and several "how much longer?" phone calls later, the cab finally arrived. The driver was unapologetic about the wait. We could have walked it- it was only a couple of miles- but it was all highway and not possible. Plus there was. A $300 fine if you were caught walking on that highway. He dropped us off at the outfitter- about a block away from where were picked up the day before. By this time it was noon and we were hungry again so we went to Zoe's and had a couple of dogs and some ice cream. We met Recalc- a thru hiker who was going through the Virginia blues a little late. We all discussed the demoralizing rocks etc. He was putting in long days every day, getting up super early and hiking late. After hearing his schedule I realized what loafers we are. Just as we were leaving, Tedzilla walked in! I had not seen him since Glasgow! D.No and C.Shell had hiked with him longer and were also really happy to see him. He planned to zero here today- but he will catch us soon. Finally at 1:30 we hit the trail. The first thing we did was cross over a gigantic bridge that spanned the Delaware River. Halfway across the bridge we saw the PA/NJ state line- painted on the sidewalk. It was exciting to cross another state line. The trail took us past a picnic area with restrooms and then down a road and finally into the woods. We saw lots of day hikers and an artist painting the river with an abstract watercolor style that I really liked.First thing I noticed about New Jersey- it is beautiful. I always thought of Tony Soprano driving home through the gritty streets when I thought of New Jersey. These serene woods and lovely streams were far from the image in my mind, although I knew we wouldn't be going through urban areas. We walked past Sunfish Pond, one of Jerseys 7 natural wonders. It was created by glaciers many years ago. It was pristine and calm and clear as can be. We sAt on a bench and enjoyed the view.   Next thing I noticed about New Jersey- it is rocky as hell. I guess it was unrealistic for me to expect the rocks to just stop at the state line, as if they knew that PA was the supposed to be the rocky state. New Jersey is supposed to be the deli state. My feet were hurting when we hit the Mohican Outdoor center, only 10 miles in. We arrived at about 6, and they had not gone to pick up their mail yet. My package with my replacement P-style had been overnighted here, so I waited while someone went to retrieve the mail. The deli closed at 6 so even though we got there and hour before the store closed, we couldn't eat.We sat outside at a picnic table and fired up our stoves. I enjoyed a Katwalk Pumpkin white bean with goat cheese creation. Very excellent!When my package arrived, we hiked out. Up a rocky incline- we found a really beautiful campsite on the ridge. The view was incredible. I felt so lucky and I know I am. I sat on a rock and gazed out at the wonder in front of me, thinking about my family, letting the ache for them inhabit me for a few minutes.Tomorrow we hike to Culver Gap and we get to meet Red Robin- one of my favorite trail journal authors of 2014. She is doing trail magic. D.No and C.Shell also followed her journal last year.