Date: 2004-07-30
From: Delaware Water Gap PA

To: New Jersey and Beyond
Miles today: 15.6

Jorma (Slimer) Hale called in 7/30/2004 @ 4:40 pm - from Danielsville PAI left Duncannon PA on 7-25-2005 around 10 am, arrived here in Danielsville PA at 4:40 pm. Mom said Gather (Adam) had just left Wind Gap PA this morning 15 miles up the trail @ 11:06 am heading north. That's a little over 5 hours ago !I have knocked out 115 miles on this leg of the trail, 115 miles, 6 days, that's an avg of 19.1 miles per day. Dad said Gather had averaged 18.6 miles per day. At this rate I'm never going to catch him !The rocks! Oh yes the rocks. In my wildest dreams I have never imagined anything this rough, this is horrible ! I thought it was just rocky paths. Oh no ! This is mountains of rocks, slick and wet to boot. I'm glad Gather made it over them ok. I cannot and will not even try to describe what these rocks are like with a pack on your back. Words will not do these rocks justice, although I had many choice words crawling through them. It would be illegal for me to properly describe what is was like here on "trailjournals.com".My trail runner shoes I bought in Damascus are junk, simply junk now !! I will have to buy another pair. They look like they have been dragged down the highway behind a pulp wood truck for 40 miles ! And they tell me the worst part is still ahead ! HA ! Nothing can be worse than this !This trail is turning into quite a challenge. I said the Smokies were bad, the Priests, Dragons Tooth, Roller Coaster, I cringe to think what's still to come. But you know that's what it's all about. If God will just give me strength I will conquer each obstacle one at a time until I summit Mt. Katahdin Maine, that is a solemn promise I have made to myself.Gather said his friend Kurt at Blue Ridge Mountain Sports In Greensboro said the rocks will knock your socks off. That's an under-statement. Kurt if you are reading this is there anything else we should know ?Dad told me he recieved a check from "Slider" for the money I loaned him in Harpers Ferry WV. The check was in Dad's hands three days after I loaned 'Slider" the money. That just goes to show what kind of people are out here. Good honest people. I like the "Slider", he's a great guy.Came upon Bake Oven Knob Shelter the other day, what a dump. But I will not complain at least it was dry. I was setting there and this huge black snake comes crawling by and right up to me. It was getting late, raining and cold outside, no tent. I have to stay in this shelter, so the snake and I have a little talk (not sure he understood me) I tell the snake it's ok to stay in the shelter but just don't crawl over me or get in my sleeping bag with me. So I turn in with the snake not far from me. I will have to say I awakened several times during the night just to insure the snake was keeping his part of the bargain. I awake the next morning. The snake was lying beside me. That is a good snake, hope no one harms it.Ran into Barking Spider and Squatter. Last time I saw them was at the Kincorahostel in TN. Also met up with the Texas Kid. These people just pop up out of no-where.Met up with Pop Tart I think, tall guy with a beard at Pinnacle overlook. Beautiful view's there, can see forever.Ran upon two huge rattlers mating, that was something to see. Free Bird and I sat and watched. Didn't take any pictures, afraid the flash would bother them.They had already shed their skin's, we found them nearby. I'm here to tell you these were two huge snakes !Also ran upon a crime scene on the trail. Talked to Trooper Peeke or Pkeke he said a drug deal gone bad. One guy was shot, Trooper said he would live. Now the Appalachian Trail is the last place in the world you would think of drug deals. There was a road nearby.Spoke to Dad, told him I made a big mistake by sending my sleeping pad home. Will stop up the trail and buy another one, miss it bad.My best guess is Gather is about 28 miles in front of me. He is going to stop in Delaware Water Gap PA. I will have to stop there also to buy me another sleeping pad. I'm getting ready to get back on the trail. Danielsville is a little crossroad maybe I can catch a ride back to the trail head. I will not be able to make a shelter tonight. I will sleep under the stars with no tent, all I have is a 14 oz tarp and my sleeping bag. For once it doesn't look like it will rain, I hope.Gotta go burning daylight ....