Date: 2010-05-07
From: KirkRidge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day # 14 Fri May 76am "Outside Dog" is up before the Sun...its COLD...musta got down in the upper 30s on top of this ridge..."Kite & SandPiper" are outta their sleeping bags abt the same time as me...We all eat our respective breakfasts..."Outside Dog" (MN) is having hot oatmeal & tea...I'm having my "usual"...Double strong Cafe Bustelo (instant)along with my PopTarts!This is my last day on the trail this year...the sprained ankle has slowed me down greatly & 2 1/2 days off the trail has cut out hiking in New Jersey this year...so, the plan is to hike to Delaware Water Gap, PA & call it for the year...i can tackle Jersey next year & get into New Yourk state...Today's hike looks to be a short one...just over 6 miles into town...Gonna be a quick day if the PA ROCKS allow.Everybody packs up...I'm the last out..of KirkRidge Shelter (1520' elevation)I hike out...down off the ridge...then roller coaster a bit...thru TOTTs GAP (didnt know Talk of the Town sponsored a GAP on the A.T.!)...hiked back up & onto Mt Minsi (1461' elevation)...here I run into "Kite & SandPiper & Outside Dog" taking a break...i hike on...the trail turns onto an old Forest road...for several miles...nice hiking....weeeeeeeeee ;0)At the peak of this climb is the remnants of an old fire tower & some two-way (Ham radio) antennas on a block building...i hike on...taking photos along the way...lots of wildflowers (sorry, dont know their names) mushrooms, etcStop @ LookOut Rock & see "Wooly Mammoth" taking a break & taking in the views....he is waiting for his girlfriend, Jennifer ("Almost Lost")who plans to hike the last couple miles with him into town.He will have his thru-hike completed when he hikes into Delaware Water Gap....sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!I talk w/ "Wooly Mammoth" for a few minutes & then start the descent.Down!...down!...Down!...I remember Dwayne (back @ Fine Lodgings) told me the last couple miles into town was very treacherous...so, i hike with caution...I take a load of photos...hike by Council ROck (more photos here of the Delaware River below)I met a nice German (?) couple on the way down...they had loads of questions abt hiking, etc....they were very excited abt talking to a "real" hiker....hehehehehe ;0)i hike on down....last couple of miles...i thought i'd round the next turn & hit a mile or so of boulders & ankle busters....but, NEVER did!....(not complaining!!!)nothing major!...actually relatively easy hiking the last 2 miles...(can I say that abt PA???)I hike by a pond complete with water lillies & some day-hikers & then the last mile an easy road walk down into town/Delaware Water Gap.I find the Presbyterian Church/the Church of the Mountain hostel on Main Street....check myself in...& take a shower...ahhhhhhhhh....nice!Someone elses backpack & sleep pad is laid out on one of the bunks...so, there'll be someone else here tonite...(i found out later its "Free Man" from Maine)I walk down Main Street to do a little "exploring" after walking across the bridge out of PA & touch the first white blaze on the New Jersey side of the bridge to officially end my hike this year...2pm   I find a small little restuarant..(Sycamore Grill) eat lunch here...very good...a bit pricey for a hiker's budget...then i check out the outfitter next door...buy a Delaware Water Gap T-shirt...(Sorry!..its just the tourist in me!)As I walk back to the hostel...a car starts honkin' its horn!...Its "Wooly Mammoth & girlfriend, Jennifer", "Outside Dog", & "Kite & SandPiper"heading to lunch...they said they'd call me later when they got ready for supper...they'd come by & pick me up...5pm "Free Man" (Maine) shows up @ the hostel...we have a nice conversation while he cooks dinner...nice guy...doing his "spiritual thing" out here on the trail. I call "Jigsaw" to tell him I'm finished hiking & arrange a "pick up" time for tomorrow (Saturday)...abt 12 noon-ish.6pm "Kite" calls me & says he & "Wooly Mammoth" will pick me up...we're eating out @ their motel, the Pocono Inn...(our last night together for the "Slatingdon 7")We have dinner (i have General Tao Chicken & Rice)...& Jennifer (Wooly Mammoth's girlfriend) brought a Birthday Cake!...(his # 36) a chocolate Rasberry cake...yummmmmmy!We all sang "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"!...to "Wooly Mammoth"...he was sufficiently EMBARRASSED!...hehehehehe ;0)We all had good conversation...til abt 9pm....it was a very good day...I'm very tired....my hike has been a good one...minus the busted ankle.                                                      6.6 miles today