Date: 2003-06-07
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA 

To: Presbyterian Church of the Mountain 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Aloha! I'm guessing that you noted right off the bat the zero in the mileage count for the day. I did. Yep, I actually ended up not hiking out of this town. Can't believe it but it's true. I got sucked in. A big ol' vacuum-sucking town. Before you laugh, let me explain. It makes sense to have stayed. Really.   I awoke before 6a this morning having not slept well on the platform bunk. I was headed to the couch when Retread and ChuckLuck followed suit and we decided that an early breakfast was in order. Off to the diner we went - in cloudy, overcast and sprinkling weather. Hummm...    While breakfasting the weather turned nastier with it starting to rain lightly. Several cups of coffee later it hadn't slowed nor become worse so we headed back to the hostel to prep to leave. ChuckLuck and I had already decided that doing laundry was a mandatory job prior to leaving town but hadn't been able to locate a Laundromat anywhere close. It turned out that the closest one was 10 miles away. That's convenient!   We contacted a gal listed on the hiker board that provided shuttles about town who agreed to take us where we needed to go. Trish was another awesome trail angel. A former thru-hiker herself ('86 when it was really hard) she is "paying back" some of the trail angel acts she experienced while on the trail. Most excellent!    Trish shuttled me to the laundry and ChuckLuck to the grocer and library. She stayed until all was complete and delivered us back to the hostel. I thought she was wonderful to begin with by giving up her Saturday morning to shuttle us around but changed that to fantastic when we couldn't convince her to take any money. You've heard it before but... how great is that! Mahalo Trish. You're another blessing.   The whole time we were out and about it poured rain. Not a pleasant spring misting or light shower but an open-the-heavens-and-let-it-pour type rain. Harder and harder with each passing minute. Unbelievable. As I stood watching it I kept thinking, "I just washed and dried my clothes! Stupid!"   As I continued to watch it pour two southbound hikers wandered up looking drowned and tired. Meet Anna (22) from England and John (20) from Australia. They're out for a week with this being their end point. Once again, good kids. Anna joined us for lunch where I had the opportunity to reminisce about England. Love that country!   Shortly before lunch, while the rain continued to come down in sheets, I debated heavily the pros and cons of leaving. Chaos had taken off for an 18-mile day. If she could do that I could certainly do ten to the Mohican Outdoor Center. Back and forth I went. Hike, no. Stay. No. Hike. No. Ahhh hell just shut up and stay. I stayed. And a wise decision it was too. During lunch, three additional hikers made their way to the hostel - Jack and his daughters Joanne and Janet. If you've heard me say it once you've heard it a million times already - some really nice folks. They're only out for a short time but sound like they're enjoying themselves rain or no rain. I see another future thru-hiker in Janet I believe. There's just a look.   We came back from lunch to find Pastor Karen Nichols in the house. For the next several hours she entertained us with hysterical stories of former hikers and hiker events. (A shooting?) It was a super afternoon of laughter and camaraderie. The best recipe for a miserably wet day.   With her departure came restful silence with each of us finding a couch or recliner, a good book or journal, or just a nap. It was just what the soul needed.    Last to join looking like three drowned rats are Mighty Mouse (formerly met as Lauren), Fifty-eight (his starting pack weight) and Trooper (a name that motivates him to continue). I met all three of these folks back at Deer Path Hostel the day I departed. They all agree they also miss that hostel!   The only other thing worth mentioning for today is that this town is horrible for the waistline! Eat, that's what you do here - eat! Constantly! Excellent sandwiches, extremely tasty soups, a bakery with every possible fattening pie and pastry that also gives out free donuts! I've lost limited weight since being out here but I swear I've probably put on ten pounds just by being in this town. Sinful town; got to get out and fast!   Speaking of food, everyone has taken off to either grab a pizza or hit the Inn and have a cocktail (for those of age to drink) and listen to some jazz. I've chosen to stay put and enjoy the quiet, pretending I'm on the trail, and appreciate my decision to have stayed. And I do.   For now though, there's a tinge of guilt for not getting on the trail today but only a tinge. I'll just have to live with it. And I know what will help me do so - there's a tasty looking strawberry crumble cake on the table. Maybe just a small piece to tie me over until breakfast. Yeah, that'll take care of the guilt just fine.   Want a piece?BS&Ts/A&Ps/M&Gs: I've eaten way too much.... waah!