July 2, 2001

Day 95 - Delaware Water Gap to Mohican Outdoor Center

Up by 7; a little slow getting out. Dave decided to bounce his boots ahead to Kent, Connecticut in the hopes that the outfitter there will replace them.

We had planned to do 17 miles to a Girl Scout campsite. But somehow we ended up at a similar 10-mile AMC outdoor center. Because we did less miles than planned, everyone has agreed to do a longer day tomorrow -- 23 miles to a covered pavilion where you aren’t supposed to camp, but we might try our luck anyway.

It’s fine to be here, but I would have much preferrred two 17-mile days instead. Crossed the Delaware River to get into New Jersey. Eighteen wheelers were flying past us as we walked on the bridge. We’re used to going 2.5 to 3 miles per hour -- not 75 or 80.


New Jersey definitely has a different feel than Pennsylvania. Or is it just because I knew we had crossed the state line?

Still rocky, but we came to a glacial pond after six miles. Really pretty spot. We chilled out for at least a couple of hours talking with the ridge runner. Got to the top of a ridge, where we had our first 360 degree view in a long time. It was nice.

Stray Cat, Longshanks, Smittee, and Blur take a break

Arrived at the outdoor center around 5. It was OK -- nothing special, but they let thru-hikers tent for free. Found Arch Angel in the bunkhouse. He had fallen a couple of times and had blood on his leg and caked in one of his ears, but I guess he’s OK.

Cooked dinner in the lodge. Took a great shower there -- as much hot water as I could stand. Later one of the caretakers, who thru-hiked in ’86, broke out his guitar and sang a few tunes. It was very relaxing.

When we went to bed, it felt so good to crawl into my sleeping bag with my clean body. Very, very comfortable. Slept well, despite the rain. Oh, forgot to mention that at the Leroy Smith Shelter, a number of people independently said they would never hike the trail again -- Pandora, Buzzard, can’t remember who else…maybe Johnnie Aussie. Stray Cat and Smittee, however, say they will hike it again.

I must admit that right now I don’t think I would be interested in another thru-hike. Let me make it this first time, and then we’ll see. Although I have a feeling that with time, you forget most of the bad stuff -- and that could be dangerous. Very dangerous, indeed.

The trail has become so commercialized now, I can’t imagine what it will be like in even five years. There seem to be two opposing factors at work. On the one hand, the trail is getting easier with all the hostels, opportunities to go into towns, soda machines, and trail magic. On the other hand, trail club members seem to be getting younger and more extreme -- and take great pleasure in relocating the trail straight up and over mountains that it used to just skirt around.

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