Date: 2015-06-24
From: DWG

To: Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: overcast clouds

After staying at the hostel in DWG I was hoping to get to the post office and get laundry done at the Pocono Inn and be back on trail by noon. The weather didn't cooperate at all. Bad storms were on the way and I was stuck in DWG for another night. Glad the Village bakery was there or I would have been bored to death... Lol. The crew showed up and we all had lunch together at the bakery. The church allowed us to set up our sleeping things on the fellowship hall porch since there were such bad storms coming and so many of us at the hostel. I spent my evening resting on my sleeping pad and listening to music curled up with Saj's pup Destroyer. The rain came down in buckets and there were tornado sirens going off in town. Glad I decided not to hike. Telephone poles and trees were downed in the storm. After the worst was over the crew went back to the bakery and I puppy-sat for Destroyer so Saj could go to the bakery with them. Saj was kind enough to bring me back a big slice of apple pie as payment for babysitting even though I enjoyed hanging with her pup. If you haven't met him he is a 12 year old Boston Terrier that is a rock climbing beast.   Got up early the next morning ready to head to Mohican Outdoor Center. (10.8 miles)Crossed the Delaware River and into New Jersey!!!! Finally made it thru PA. Gorgeous hike thru NJ that reminded me of home. Met a guy that gave me some Oreos and hiked with him for a few minutes. He was a really neat guy. Walked around Sunfish Pond and met my first NJ family hiking for the day. They asked tons of questions and were super friendly and welcoming. I snapped their pic and moved on up the mountain. I was really watching for bear because NJ is famous for having lots of them. Just a few minutes before getting to MOC I heard a loud rustling on my right. I looked over and saw 2 Cubs hopping around the meadow. No sign of Mama so I hurried down the trail trying to avoid a confrontation. At the footbridge there was a sign for trail magic and I was so excited! I sat with Irish the trail angel and Fifty Plus and relaxed for a bit before heading to MOC. Irish was a triple crowner and also hiked the Camino de Santiago as well. Got a room in the lodge at the MOC as I was feeling a bit drained from all the sun I had gotten that day. Much of the hike was in full sun and being a redhead I think I just got too much. Dave had sent my sleeping bag back to me at the MOC which was perfect timing. I lay down mist of the afternoon trying to recover from the heat. That night the crew got there and stayed in the lodge as well. The only other people there were Last Chance and Fifty Plus. We ate dinner at a real table and it was such a blessing. Everyone beat me out on the trail the next day because I had to get a box sent home. I waited for Irish to show up at 8:30 and he was right on time. He was glad to send the box for me and I was on my way hiking by 9:00. Met up with Mary from Astonia and hiked with her for a bit. She was incredibly fast so that didn't last too long. She yelled to stop because there was a bear crossing the trail. I didn't see it but was glad for the warning. Hiked 14 miles and finally made it to Brinx Shelter. Last Chance was there already and shortly after my arrival the crew showed up. We made the decision to drive home the next day for a break so I'm at home right now updating my trail journal. I will be back on trail by next Monday.