Day 98: 7/7/12

Miles today: 13.1
Total miles: 1,319.0

Challenging day today. Couldn't find water when I needed to. It was there, but side trails to springs weren't marked so I went without water for awhile. I've been filling up all bottles every chance I get and strategizing where I start and stop each day based on where the water is.
At lunchtime I came to a road crossing where there was a nice tavern so I stopped and had some pints (I know, I know, I shouldn't drink alcohol when water is hard to come by, sue me). Had fun talking to the locals there. Hearing the east coast accents instead of southern accents is a good indication of the progress I've made, distance-wise.
Having a few gear challenges. I need a new backpack; one of my main zippers is broken so I'm working with REI to score a free replacement when I'm in NYC next week. Lots of phone calls, shipping complications, etc. But it's all good, I'll get it worked out one way or another. During a trip this long gear issues happen to everybody, no big deal.
Came to a shelter later on and had dinner but didn't dare hike any farther today; it's a long way to the next water source so I'm going to wait until after breakfast before I hike on. Plus it's a fun group at the shelter tonight. Lately I've been keeping to myself, enjoying my solitude, but dinner tonight was a good social scene.

Camping near Gren Anderson shelter.

Day 97: 7/6/12

Miles today: 18.3
Total miles: 1,305.9

Left Pennsylvania and entered New Jersey today. 7 states down, 7 to go. Did some good miles today in spite of more hot weather and rocky terrain.
NJ would have really impressed me if not for all the ticks. I pulled more ticks off my socks and legs today than I thought I would this entire trip. I wasn't bitten but still I felt violated. I mean, if you're going to bite me and suck my blood you should at least have the decency to turn me into a vampire and grant me cool powers, like having a chocolaty cereal named after me. Or sump'n.
Finished the day exhausted. Found a well with a pump, cold water - a real treat. That was nice after a long hot day. Made dinner then hiked on and set up camp.

Camping near the AT .5 mile north of Blue Mountain Lakes Rd.

Day 96: 7/5/12

Miles today: 15.6
Total miles: 1,287.6

After Clint dropped me off at the trailhead this morning it was instant rock climbing again. A steep climb up, then several miles of rocky terrain.
At the end of the day I came to Delaware Water Gap, a small town on the PA-NJ border. I'm staying at a hostel run by the local Presbyterian church. And get this - every Thursday (today) they have a big potluck for hikers. Jackpot! So I had a marvelous dinner, then ran down to the local outfitter to buy new shoes. That's my third pair so far! I'll probably have gone through 4-5 pairs by the time this trip is over.

Tomorrow I cross into New Jersey.

Day 95: 7/4/12

Miles today: 0.0
Total miles: 1,272.0

A great day off the trail today. More good times with Clint, Erika, and little Ollie. Erika cooked a righteous breakfast, a great beginning to a great day. We all hung out and relaxed for the rest of the morning, and in the afternoon was a welcome surprise - Erika gave me a massage! Turns out she's a licensed massage therapist. How lucky can a weary hiker get?! That couldn't have worked out better if she were a licensed sherpa and offered to carry my backpack the whole rest of the trip. So now I feel super relaxed and ready to own the trail tomorrow.
Later on we went out for ice cream, took Oliver to the park, and came back to their place for dinner. As I was drinking a beer while Clint was grilling sausages I realized: Men + grilling meat + beer + 4th of July = a good day.
I went to bed early after two full days of being pampered and spoiled. Clint and Erika, if you're reading this, thank you so much for your hospitality. I can't tell you how much it means to me to come off the trail and be met with such wonderful generosity and friendship. Cheers!

Day 94: 7/3/12

Miles today: 1.2
Total miles: 1,272.0

Had a quick walk into Wind Gap, where I met my friend Clint, who lives in nearby Bethlehem, PA. Clint is one of my friends from college. It was great to see him; we hadn't seen each other since about eight or nine years ago when he visited Irvine, CA back when I lived in San Diego.
We had breakfast and shot the breeze and got caught up on each other's happenings. Then we went back to his place for me to clean up and join the ranks of civilized humans for a few days. For lunch we met his wife Erika. I hadn't met her before, so that was a real pleasure. Likewise I hadn't yet met their 17-month-old son Oliver. We picked him up at daycare later on and had fun getting to know each other.
For dinner they spoiled me with grilled steak and vegetables (and beer!!).
Tomorrow should be another fun day. I get to relax, take a day off the trail and hang with my friends on the 4th.

Day 93: 7/2/12

Miles today: 20.1
Total miles: 1,270.8

A long day today. Got up before 5, hit the trail at 6am sharp. That turned out to be a good idea. There was a huge rock climb up Blue Mountain early on that would have been torture in the heat later in the day.
Once atop Blue Mountain the elevation leveled out but the rocky terrain remained difficult. So I took my time and made slow progress. I was so slow and sluggish that I stopped and took a nap in case that would help. It seemed to; my pace picked up in the afternoon.
Once I arrived at the Leroy Smith shelter to get water and make dinner I ran into Wiseguy, who I hadn't seen since Harper's Ferry. We ate, told stories of what we'd seen and done in Pennsylvania, then I hiked on a few more miles. I should see him again at Delaware Water Gap in a few days.
In the meantime I'm really looking forward to seeing my friend Clint. He lives nearby so I'm going to meet up with him tomorrow. I haven't met his wife Erika or his son Oliver yet, so I look forward to meeting them as well. Should be a great time!

Camping near the AT a few miles from Wind Gap.

Day 92: 7/1/12

Miles today: 12.7
Total miles: 1,250.7

Frustrating day. Heat, terrain, and scarcity of water made for slow miles. But that's ok, I just need to be patient. These last miles in Pennsylvania are among the toughest on the AT, so I just need to take the boulder fields and dried-up springs as they come.
I intend to rise early tomorrow; my first few miles are a steep 1,200-ft climb up a rocky mountainside that is completely exposed. If I dally and don't get there until the sun is hot it will be even more difficult. Should be a fun challenge.

Camping near George W. Outerbridge shelter.