07-03-13 Together in Greenwood Lake, New York

Crossed over into New York today. Although we only hiked ten miles today, we still felt ready for a rest day.

We hiked down the road to Bellvale Farms Creamery and enjoyed homemade ice cream. From there, we got a ride into Greenwood Lake, New York.

After many phone calls, walking and a visit to the florist, we ended up at the Breezy Point Inn. Seven people shoved into a motel room. I'd say it was cramped, but the porch area added more space that we hardly noticed.

Had the pizza special for dinner, and enjoyed "Open Mic Night" at the hotel bar. Looking forward to an entire rest day on the Fourth.

07-02-13 Carried Away by the Mosquitoes Together

The sun greeted us this morning. Not sure what to expect from the trail, I wore gloves, arm warmers and my poncho as added protection from the mosquitoes.

The mosquitoes were horrible. The followed us in swarms. The forced us to keep moving; don't stop.

About eight miles in we got to the "boardwalk over swamp" as our guidebook described it. We thought the mosquitoes were going to be terrible and it turned out to be the nicest stretch of the day; pleasant even. The dragonflies had staked out there territory and had taken a huge chunk out of the mosquito population, if not all.

At the crossing with NJ 94, we took a slight detour to Heaven Hill Farm for homemade ice cream. It was nice sitting out in the open, bug free.

We pushed the last five miles to Wawayanda Shelter for the night. Set up the tent and enjoyed the mesh sanctuary from the bugs.

07-01-13 Together at the highest point in New Jersey

I have a love hate relationship with New Jersey. Today was miserable. When it wasn't raining the mosquitoes were biting and when the mosquitoes weren't biting it was raining.

The trail was either unmaintained, rocky or flooded.

We stopped at High Point State Park for a break. Pepsi-Cola donated cans of Pepsi for each thru-hiker that visits. We each got a soda and enjoyed our reprieve from the rain.

Up the trail, we took a side trail up to the highest point in New Jersey. A monument was built on the site which we climbed up. Unfortunately no views because of the fog, but the change of pace was still fun.

After a 15 mile day we hobbled into Unionville, New York for the night. Set up our wet tent on the park's playground and aired out our wet feet. After a small resupply at the General Store and had dinner at the local tavern.

Later that night, as we laid in our tent to go to sleep a group of high schoolers rolled up doing high schooler things. A couple of girls walked by and noticed our tent, then clothes hanging in the gazebo, then other tents. They turned around quickly calling us "a bunch of creepers." I couldn't help but chuckl

06-30-13 Somewhere near Mashipacong

I love New Jersey! Saw another bear. I heard something digging in the rocks near a spring. It's head popped up. In the distance I could hear the freight train (B, Danno and OB) coming who eventually scared it away.

At a view we met up with DNA's dad, Stan. He knew of a church picnic and we planned to meet up at the pavilion seven miles away to go to it.

We got to the pavilion right as the rain started. Along with Shaman, DNA and Etch-a-Sketch, Stan drove us all to the St. Thomas Catholic Church for a fellowship meal.

Back on the trail we hiked three miles to the Mashipacong Shelter. The mosquitoes were so bad that we threw up the tent, and socialized between the mesh all evening.

06-29-13 Hanging out with the Jersey Bruins Together

Our morale started out low today--wet feet, rocks, mosquitoes. We climbed up the Catfish Lookout Tower to escape the bugs. The break, view and mid-morning snack eased our spirits.

Around lunchtime the trail smoothed out and we stopped for lunch on the rocks. We were excited to see Shaman and he joined us also.

Further up the trail we stopped to talk to two day-hikers from Jersey. One of them said, "there's a bear!" The bear slowly sauntered by us about 20 yards away. Very exciting!

About two miles out from camp, B went on ahead while I stopped to "talk to nature," if you know what I mean. I continued on and heard a slight rustle to my left. Behind the bushes was a bear about 10 feet away.

I froze. He froze. I stared. He stared. He started to slowly move. I blew my whistle to scare him off. He ran but then popped out onto the trail.

For the next ten minutes I blew my whistle and clanked my poles. I looked around nervously, stopping often to turn around for a peak.

I made it to camp safe and sound. We met up with Shaman, Etch-a-Sketch, DNA, OB and Danno. Late in the evening Bamboo and Morning Kid rolled in, and we enjoyed a small reunion. Interestingly enough, we all saw bears today. What an exciting day!

06-28-13 Crossing the Delaware River Together

The Appalachian Trail led us through Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania today. It was about a six mile hike down the ridge line and since it rained the night before, our shoes and socks soaked up the dew on the trail vegetation.

Once in town we showered, dried out our shoes and socks and hit the local bakery. As tempting as it was to pack out an entire cake, we had fun picking out a smaller but still tasty option.

Back on the trail, we walked through a construction site to get to the Interstate 80 toll bridge over the Delaware River into New Jersey. It was a little nerve-racking when the semi trucks would pass us and shake the bridge!

We entered into the Delaware Water Gap National Park and were soon introduced to the New Jersey rocks.

Once back up on the ridge line we had a beautiful view at Sunfish Pond and another on Kittatinny Mountain. We set up camp a short ways after and were inundated with TICKS!!

We stripped down and inspected as best we could. As we listened to the nightly thunderstorm, we couldn't help but double, triple and quadruple check every time we felt the slightest tickle.