Appalachian Trail... photos and journal

Spring of 2002... Not the south...

From my journal (June 3rd) Day-48..."Geez… my longest mileage day so far but my body was screaming rest and I had to respond. I slept in late for once to 8:00 a.m. then packed up and walked the remaining mile into Delaware Water Gap and to “The Church of the Mountains” hostel. It was great talking with the other hikers and Gizmo, the ridge runner whom I’d met a couple days ago near Lehigh Gap. We all went and had a great breakfast then Potato Man joined us and taught us how to make these neat little flying birds from our place mats, despite how crazy the other patrons thought we were!

I then retrieved my float box from the post office and bought some food then was back on the trail crossing the Delaware river into New Jersey. Hopefully I will feel much more rested tomorrow. "

Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

.

The Presbyterian Church of the Mountain has offered a hostel to hikers for many years.

The church from the street which is only about a block off the AT!

Into the garden state... New Jersey

.

After a short resupply in Delaware Water Gap I cross the Delaware River into New Jersey.

From my journal (June 4th) Day-49..."Didn’t pass too many people on the trail today as the walk continued to be relatively level. At Brink Road Shelter I walk about 100 yards down the trail for water, but never got to the spring as I was chased back by hordes of mosquitoes. I thought that I could get water at Culvers Gap but the store was closed and the handle had been removed from the faucet. It was then another three miles to Gren Anderson Shelter where the spring was barely flowing and I gulped away my thirst and cooked a hot meal.

About a half mile before the shelter I saw my first bear ever while hiking on the AT, a very large blackie hobbling on 3 legs as his rear right paw was apparently injured. I finally made it to Sunrise Mountain where a weak rain began to fall and I set up camp not far north early in the evening but I’m so tired. "

An overlook near Catfish Fire Tower.

.

After two thru-hikes I FINALLY see my first bear on the Appalachian Trail! I spotted it just past Culver Fire Tower.

From my journal (June 5th) Day-50..."This was another humid day of hiking but I somehow managed to get 26 miles out of it. Passed by High Point State Park and the highest point in New Jersey. I also went into Unionville for re-supply. Tonight I noticed four tiny punctures in my tarptent evidently from fallen debris last night, which has me frustrated since duct tape will not stick to the silicone. In the future I now know that I should be packing a silicone repair kit… oh well, hike and learn!

From this point forward I was much to sick from the west nile virus (although I didn’t know that at the time) to keep any further notes in my journal. To be honest, I can’t even recall where I camped the next day but I knew that I had to get off the trail and get help since during the last 3 to 4 days my condition had progressively grown worse, but I kept thinking that I could just walk it off.

Symptoms included lack of energy, aching, lack of appetite, and a very bad inflammation centered in my head/brain area. I managed to drag myself out of the woods at Bear Mountain, New York and got myself to the E.R., then after five weeks of pampering I finally got pretty much back on my feet again and I think that I'm okay now but I've never dealt with anything quite like this before. Fortunately I'm in good health, except for the usual long distance hiker exhaustion :-) and I've made a good recovery, but I know that the remaining 700 miles to Katahdin will hang over my head until I finish it at some future time. "

Red newts must dominate the entire east coast.

.

An interesting sign along the way.

High Point Monument is situated on the highest point in New Jersey but visibility wasn't too good today through all those clouds!

.

Wow! Who built all these obviously old rock walls? Such craftsmanship and artistic ability.

The honey bees were abuzz in them-thar hills!

.

A splash of gold on purple.

This was certainly an interesting white trail blaze. You might say that it was keeping an eye on me.

.

Another one of those darn garter snakes to make me jump a foot off the trail once again!

Unionville, New York

Horler's General Store was one of the best stocked grocery stores to be found, not to mention a great deli!

.

A great homemade memorial in the center of town. God Bless America and no, we will never forget!

Guess those bees like purple too!

.

Following the fields edge north.

BACK

AT HOME

NEXT