Date: 2004-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Try as I might, I can't seem to sleep past six, in fact I was doing email by 530, at the continental breakfast at 630. Oh well, at least I napped yesterday. Mouse and I walked together today. The walk out of DWG was a bit intimidating. There is a pedestrian lane on the toll bridge. The early morning commuters and big trucks whizzing by just yards from us. I could feel the air pushing me. Finally off the freeway and across under I80, and into the woods. This part was for day hikers and the trail was wide and mildly rocky. We broke our blueberry fast quickly. The first tourist point of interest is the Sunfish Pond. The trail goes around about half of it and it is ROCKY. But we were getting full of berries and kept our mood up. Then up a hill to the ridge. This ridge started by looking a little like parts of Virginia. High slab rocks. Then it became grassy with sparse trees. The trail has not been maintained and it became difficult to see the rocks hidden under the grasses leaning into the trail. The sun was bright and the air getting warmer by the minute. The weather channel had promised scattered thundershowers for the area. From the ridge we could see the lakes below. I could tell by the shoreline, this area definitely needs rain. The threat of rain kept us moving along. The information we had gotten about the rocks seems fairly accurate, it doesn't stop in Pennsylvania. It starts to taper off in NJ. It isn't tapering off quick enough. There were some rugged areas of slow walking. At least the woods were more open. The blueberries were more plentiful. In fact, we finally got to taste all three different kinds that seem to grow here. I think the sweetest ones are the big black berries. We got to Camp Road about the time I figured and hooked a left to the Mohican Outdoor Center. I'm impressed. We both elected to pay for bunk space. I wanted to get more rest knowing tomorrow the group has a 20 miler planned. We got here early enough; I got a short nap in before the guys started showing up. I'm also finishing up a trash novel I've been packing. Later, I walked to the lake here and went for a swim. The walk to the lake is a dirt road. The beach is gravel. The lake bottom is smaller gravel and the water cold. I felt good to just stand in the water, but I just had to go for a few strokes out and back. A nice break from the heat. When I got out, the skies were starting to darken. The promised rain looks like it will arrive. The Center's bunk house is equipped with a shower and a fully equipped kitchen. We all fixed our suppers in the kitchen. We all had a laugh about how we now could simmer our suppers as the directions tell us to do. I had popped ice cube trays, so we even had iced drinks! There is a southbounder with us tonight. He told us about the trail ahead. The trick is going to be getting up early and hoofing out of here. The first ten miles will be difficult with rocks, but the second half will be easier, he says. We'll see. After supper, I went for a short walk to see the tenting area. Boonie, TreeFrog and Goodtyme and Bluebery are tented. Good campers, they are already in bed. When I get back to the bunk house, the lights are out and the guys are settling in. Mouse and I are working on our journals. We've had another drop today. This morning NowOrNever was saying goodbyes. He's headed for home. I suppose that is the least painful way to get off. Don't tell until you're saying goodbye. I was in shock.I admit I am worried for Adam. His foot is giving him a lot of trouble. We have a high mileage day planned. Ultimately, we all are on our own. I'd hate to think he may drop off from this pack, but we all have to do what we have to do. I felt good being on the trail today.   Namaste'