Date: 2015-05-26
From: Wind Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6

Today I slept in later than I expected, and didn't leave my (super grungy) motel until about 9. I was actually quite lucky though, as I went to the diner for breakfast and met Archangel and Lorax there. I enjoyed a stuffed French toast breakfast that was probably a million calories and set off, dreading the long, hot walk back up to the trail. Fortunately, someone did pick me up and drive me the 2.5 miles to the trail. For some reason, any miles off trail are exhaustingly long. I met Chef of the Rhode Island Express boys at the trailhead, who I haven't seen since Waynesboro, weeks ago! There was a bit of a rough climb out of Wind Gap, as always happens when I'm going out of town. The temperature was hot and humid, so I quickly dirtied my freshly sink washed clothes. The trail was rocky, as to be expected, but with only a couple short sections that absolutely killed my knees. I ran out of ibuprofen a couple days ago, and the Aleve (painkiller) doesn't seem to be as effective. A good thing about today was that there were far less caterpillars than before. It was an incredible relief. Of course instead there were bugs and flies buzzing around my ears and face, but it was much better than the caterpillars. The trail today also bought a lot of little reunions. First there was Chef. Then, I walked into Uke who is the girl from the Shenandoahs who sang Taylor Swift songs on her ukelele. Later, I stopped at the shelter and met Shutterbug again as well as Frodo (Rhode Island Express). It was great to catch up and talk about all that had gone on in the preceding weeks. I told Frodo about my (mis)adventures with animals, and he told me about aquablazing. Turns out, they actually bought a canoe on Craigslist. I stayed at the shelter for at least an hour, then finally went back onto the trail. It was a really nice hike for most of the 6ish miles left, with long stretches on a grassy road. The ticks were out in force, but I brushed them all off (I hope). Still, it was a big change from the constant rocks. I listened to a podcast on Alfred Hitchcock and the miles just floated by in a very pleasant way. I got into town about 5, and made my way straight to the Church of the Mountain hostel. It's donation based, so nothing fancy, but still comfortable enough. The bunks are all attached in a ? shape, and have carpet instead of a mattress, like the Eckville shelter. There was also a hot shower, which I pretty much immediately used despite having only showered yesterday. My legs were already covered in filth. The problem is, I put bug spray and sunscreen on and then I sweat, and all the dirt I kick up from the trail gets stuck to my legs. And some of the dirt is now ticks, so I have to actually make an effort to wipe it off just in case. Even wearing gaitors doesn't help, because the dirt gets kicked all the way up to my knees. I met a few more familiar faces in the hostel, and spoke to some new ones. A couple told me that they had seen me yesterday as they were heading into town. I was hoping that no other hikers had spotted my dirt covered face, but alas. Afterwards, I headed down to the Water Gap Diner. American diners are definitely one of my favourite places in the whole world now, and they're usually the cheapest place to eat in town too. (Plus most of them do breakfast foods all day). I was joined by Lorax as I had chocolate pudding for dessert. Tomorrow I'm planning on heading to the trail nice and early. Not sure where I'm heading to yet.