Date: 2017-06-19
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.8

I slept on the couch in the hostel as all the bunk spots were taken. I had had Shaun grab the last spot and I took the couch when we got in last night. I slept pretty well considering the couch was about 6 inches too short, either my head or my head had to jut up at an angle. I woke at 7 and got Shaun up. We packed our packs in the dark as the other hikers were still asleep. We decided to try the Apple Pie Bakery for breakfast and had a town meal to start our hike. A hot dog and Apple Pie for $2.95!  After breakfast it was time to get hiking. Heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast and a lot of hikers were taking a zero day to avoid the storms. We walked on the I-80 bridge over the Delaware River and came to the PA/NJ border where I had stopped last year. I ceremoniously stepped over the border into my next state and Shaun took my picture. I took his as well and we were off into new territory for our AT experience. In actuality crossing the bridge is annoying given all the traffic and noise and we were glad when we got off it.  We stopped at the Kittatinny Visitor Center and talked to the rangers. The weather still called for heavy rain and thunderstorms, but we thought we would give it a go anyway. We climbed up from the river valley and into the quiet of the forest. It was a relief to once again be away from the noise of the interstate and on my way to Maine. The climb up from the river was fairly moderate and only about 1100 feet, but that didn't keep my lungs and legs from complaining. I was definitely out of Trail shape. Shaun was doing better being 40 years younger and 40 pounds lighter!  We continued through small ups and downs and watched the sky turn dark and heard thunder in the distance. A few brief rain showers blew through and that helped to cool things off. The humidity was killing us and the temps were well into the 80s.We had lunch at the Douglas Trail junction and decided we would stop at the Mohican Outdoor Center approximately 5.3 miles away. It would make for a short day but being in a bunk room was preferable to being in a tent with the weather coming in. We met Wanderer and his dog Gal while we were eating lunch. He was hiking the trail and living out of his van. Each day he would hike out, and then hike back and sleep in his van.We took off after lunch and passed Sunfish Pond and continued up to Kittatinny Mountain. We had great views all around and an ominous view of the dark clouds headed our way. We met Valley Forge at the peak as he was hustling down to the Mohican as well. The rain started in earnest and the thunder got more aggressive. Coming down the mountain the rocks were getting slick from the rain and we were being as cautious as possible. We arrived at a road after 2.5 wet miles and turned toward the Mohican. There was a good crowd of hikers there all escaping the thunderstorms. We got a room and were amazed at how nice the facility was. Our "bunk room" had 4 rooms with 4 bunks each, a huge common area, full kitchen, 4 bathrooms with showers, and a fireplace - it was palatial for $24 each. For dinner we had fresh made sandwiches from the deli, then retired to our bunk room where Shaun made a fire so we could dry our clothes out. We were sharing the bunk room with Jeff and Wise Wolf.It definitely wasn't roughing it, but Shaun was getting an AT experience, and I was on my way to Maine once again.