Date: 2015-05-11
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Brink Rd Shelter
Miles today: 24.0

Let me first start off by saying "Thank You" to Brian and Kristen F.!!! What amazing hosts you are!! What a great resupply!So, I got to start today off at Brian's and Kristen's house. It was great to be so comfortable! I took a shower, ate cereal, and used Brian's truck to drive back up to the trailhead. It seemed like a real inconvenience for them, but Brain said the usual--"no problem."The drive was a bit stressful with the combination of having not driven for two months, a new area, and morning work traffic. When I finally pulled into the trailhead, I enjoyed seeing a familiar place. I had visited that same trailhead a year ago and knew what to expect.I headed up the trail and regained my lost elevation from crossing the gap. It was pleasant, to say the least. A stream flowed its way down adjacent to the trial. The immediate area had been scraped by a glacier and it certainly helped with the rock's sharpness. In fact, the southernmost glacial feature on the trail is Sunfish Pond. I passed by this smaller lake today. It was quaint. Even better, it marked a transition into an area with lakes! Lakes have been a somewhat rare sight on the trail thus far. Some folks had created a cairn garden along the northern shore.There were just a couple of day hikers, but otherwise had the trail to myself today. Well, to me and that big Timber Rattler that I ran into. Darn thing was right on the trail and wouldn't let me pass. It seemed aggressive and very defiant.Eventually, I was able to get around him. Speaking of snakes, I must have saw at least 9 snakes today. One rattler, one snake that dove into the pond and swam away, and a ton of rat snakes.The day heated back up and brought with it stifling humidity. I instantly started sweating and continued with buckets' worth of it. Luckily, the terrain was level and that helped immensely.As I walked along a ridge, I detected a intoxicating, flowery aroma in the air. I couldn't quite place it at first... Then, it dawned on me--it was lilacs! They smell so good!! Water was pretty good, although I skipped a few sources. One was because of some families swimming immediately upstream, one was too muddy and mosquito-y, and one had pitiful flow.I was surprised to walk by a manned fire lookout. I could hear the lookout guy excitedly explain to some unsuspecting hikers every nook and cranny in his place. I could even hear him go over his emergency candy bar provisions.I made really good time. I finished the 24 miles in short order. The shelter was 0.2 miles down a side trail, so I went to look for the guys. Then, I heard them!!!! It was really cool to hook back up with them.It was sad as we were missing one member. LittleDebbie explained to me that Bird had shin splits and took an additional day off in Port Clinton. I hope he gets better soon!!Deadline, LittleDebbie, and I filled each other in about town stories and information. It was fun. We all ate dinner and chatted some more. This area near the AT is widely known for heavy bear use/activity. The other animal known for big populations around here are Timer Rattlers!!!!   I got my tarp set up and am ready for some sleep!