"Never, never, never, never give up."
-Winston Churchill
Start: Motel in Wind Gap, PA
End: Church of the Mountain Hostel
Today: 15.7 mi
Total: 138.7 mi
It's always terribly difficult leaving the safe, climate controlled cocoon of a motel. Even one with holes in its carpet and a hodge podge of mismatched furniture can seem like a haven. Each night before leaving the hotel I have high hopes of getting out by 6 AM or 6:30 AM. Every time I fail miserably! There are so many "chores" to do before leaving. Believe it or not, your feet need the most attention. I spend more time getting my shoes on the Mr. Rogers (including a song he might sing AND a trip to the straw factory). Between putting on moleskin, tending to your blisters, taping on gauze, socks and boots, you've gotten everything but a pedicure (not than anyone else would dare touch your feet).
We were out of the hotel by 7:45 AM and crossed the street to a local diner where Heather stuck at her thumb and I hid behind a telephone pole (not as easy as it sounds with a great big pack). The reason? It's easier for girls to get picked up hitching than guys. A very nice man named Jerry stopped for us after only 5 minutes and drove us 3 miles to the trailhead.
We started up the trail at about 8:15 AM. It immediately began to climb and when we arrived on the ridge a mile later, the sharp rocks of PA greeted us once more. It seems like the northern 150 miles of the trail in PA is littered with these rocks that pinch and chomp your sore, swollen feet like millions of pirahnah. If Eastern PA was ever invaded by a foreign country this line of sharp rocks would serve as Western PA's first line of defense!
While resting our feet we met three really nice hikers: Tex, Miles Supertramp, and Spot. We must've talked for an hour and my hesitation in leaving our trail family in Duncannon evaporated. Most of the people you meet on the trail are incredible. It's almost as if, joined by your common interest, you are quick friends whether you are a doctor, teacher or cashier. You're all the same in a special way.
After (seemingly) many more hours of rock torture, we arrived at the church of the mountain hostel. Along our descent into the Delaware water gap the traffic noise from I-80 grew louder and louder. Although one part of you feels like the cars, traffic and people are intruding into nature, another big part of you is excited because you know your days hike is almost done!
~DADDY LONG LEGS
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