Date: 2011-07-13
From: The Church of the Mountain Hostel

To: Campsite after MOC
Miles today: 16.5

I'm chilly. There is a stiff breeze from the West; hopefully it will keep those nasty looking dark clouds moving out. I really don't wNt to be rained on tonight. I'm putting on socks and my jacket.Ok, I'm officially in NJ. Yippee! So far it's rocky, sort of like PA. Crossed the Delaware River on a bridge with the traffic zooming by. When the 18 wheelers and double carriage trucks went by I could feel thebridge moving. The first time it happen I thought I was going to be sick. Not fun. This is one part of the AT I would like to see moved - find alternative routes for crossing the rivers.There were rhodos in bloom and some pretty red wildflowers as soon as I entered the NJ Trail. Pretty. I'm still surprise to see the rhodos in bloom in July. Later this afternoon there were acres more, huge bushes, loaded with blossoms.Before the rest of the days details, I did go to breakfast this morning. Big group: Buffalo Bobby, SoBo guy from FL, Trolley Stop, Rolling Stone, Glen and Buttons. I was still out by a few minutes after 8. The PO doesn't open till 8:30 so I'll mail the stuff home on Saturday when I pick up my mail drop.Had my new boots on today. Felt good. I think I'll like them especially once my poor feet have recovered. They are so sore. I was walking slowly today. At lunch, instead of joining Buttone, Milo and Smiley at MOC, I stopped at a stream and soaked my feet while I ate. Nit felt good and I guess it helps, it was still a rough afternoon walking. I'm over the rocks for sure. It was some what better late today before I found his campsite.Sunfish Pond was interesting. It's a glacial pond which has very high acidic water so only 2 types of fish can live in it. The walk around it was hard on my feet - huge rocks tumbled every which way. My err was a neat stream after the pond; I could hear the water moving but it was under the rocks and didn't surface until 20' down the hill. Then Kittatinny Mountain has an almost 360 view. Pretty within gains, the river, lakes and some farm land - great place for morning break. Shortly after Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, you guessed it...I heard/saw another rattlesnake. This time the rattle was not as e - I stood perfectly still and just moved my head til I spotted it in the leaves beside the Trail. It was at least 8 - 10' away. Guess it was just letting me know it was there. Gotta say, it was pretty - very golden and shiney. I hiked on and was very vigilant all afternoon cause there were sunny spots, rock ledges and good places for snakes to be. I didn't see any more. Thank You, Lord!Much of today's walk was either in thin woods ( little suncover) or totally out in the su . Nit was hot but there were good breezes most of the day.The other neat (sort of) thing today was the 'swamp'. It was a big body of water almost entirely covered by water lilies and close to the center was whT looked like a beaver dam. Ni took a couple of pics, not sure how they will turn out.Lots of blackberries, blueberries and a fee black raspberries. They were a nice treat. I tell twice. Don't want to talk about it.I'm looking forward to what I'm hoping will be. Quiet night in my tent without any light shinning all night.I'm thankful for new boots.Hike on!Scribbles