Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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July 19, Delaware Water Gap, PA (Ramada Inn)

Today has been one of the most fun zero days I have ever taken, despite my very sore knees & scraped-up shin. I started the day early, slip-sliding - falling out of my top bunk around 6:30 to start making phone calls to work, Mom, & Tony. As I was walking back here, a hiker came out of the cafe across the street to fetch me, being that everyone else from the hostel was over there having breakfast. So I went in & joined the huge table of boisterous, hungry hikers (it was good we were the only patrons) and the stories & laughter flew around the table for nearly two hours, while everyone put down at least two plates of breakfast each. It was one of those rare times on the trail that make it so special.

Afterwards, a number of people hit the trail, we hike the rest of us spent the day cleaning up gear, laundry, relaxing & so on. Around noon, I packed myself together & came down to the Ramada Inn, where Tony met me tonight. It's the only other place in town to stay & fortunately they offer an extremely generous hiker rate. In fact, it's nearly the same amount I paid for the Port Clinton Hotel, but we're about five stars higher here!

Tonight was the Church's weekly potluck supper for all the hikers, so I wandered down there at 6, and enjoyed one of the most fabulous meals of the trail. What a fantastic spread of dishes. plus several pans of cakes, pie, fruit & other desserts. At least twenty or thirty church families must have come out which is even more amazing considering they do this every week! I told Pastor Karen that this has been my favorite trail town yet - the beautiful accommodations & friendliness of everyone in town, not just the hostel, make Delaware Water Gap a really fantastic place.