Journals

According to Pittsburgh:

JULY 14, 1997 - MONDAY
   the family reunion BASH at SUNSHINEs cousins home was a musical success, and stretched into the wee hours. we set up camp in a field near the house which was also being used to park the cars. sleep was somewhat fleeting...
   we began our hike at FOX GAP (PA 191). again, we were expecting a tough trail, but it ended up being one of the easiest days in PA. in fact, one lengthy section of the trail, near KIRKRIDGE shelter, was rock free. the rocks had been removed from the trail, and were used as a rock fence along the side of the trail. this must have taken a tremendous amount of work and effort. the maintainers are to be commended for work above and beyond the call of duty!!!
   the hike off of the mountain to DELAWARE WATER GAP PA was steep, but interesting. the hike out of the GAP across the I-80 bridge was hot and dusty. the 18-wheelers really make the bridge rock-and-roll! we ended our hike, another short one, at the DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA INFORMATION CENTER in NEW JERSEY. WE ARE OUT OF PENNSYLVANIA!!!
   we headed to PIZZA HUT to celebrate, then went back to SUNSHINEs cousins home. we accepted their hospitality for another day...

JULY 15, 1997 - TUESDAY
   we packed and left SUNSHINEs cousins house STEALTHFULLY, driving to STROUDSBURG for breakfast, then on to the DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA INFORMATION CENTER in NEW JERSEY. TIMMY and SUNSHINE hiked out from there...
   the guys and i did some shopping and got the oil changed in the van, then drove to FLATBROOKVILLE RD. i began my southbound hike there. people i met during the day: BALTIMORE JACK, WATERGIRL, PITTER, SPICEBOY, SPICE, PAKABEAR, CHEWBACCA, FRODO, BOY WONDER, SPARROWHAWK, ZOOMAN, JOURNEYMAN, and others...
   hiking south, i assumed that i would be passing the ladies sometime before my destination of CAMP ROAD. i saw ZOOMAN just prior to CAMP ROAD, and he said that SUNSHINE was injured with a groin pull. she was relaxing at the road crossing when i arrived, and wanted to continue hiking. she and TIMMY headed out, and i hiked to the MOHICAN TRAIL CENTER, just up the road from the trail crossing. the ladies were supposed to hike to FLATBROOKVILLE RD, where the van would be waiting, then get transported back to the MOHICAN TRAIL CENTER to tent for the night. i settled in the lodge with a book written by a 1996 thru-hiker. her name was MIDNIGHT, and the book was about her thru-hike. the lady behind the counter had recommended the book, then told me that she was MIDNIGHT...
   the van arrived after a long interval (i had time to read the entire book). SUNSHINE had hiked to MILLBROOK-BLAIRSTOWN ROAD, and had stopped there. TIMMY continued to FLATBROOKVILLE ROAD. the guys, with TIMMY, picked up SUNSHINE on their way to MOHICAN. we decided to head back to EAST STROUDSBURG PA and secure a motel room, then determine what to do about SUNSHINEs injury. it was decided to get SUNSHINE to the doctor the next day. we ate supper and hit the sack...

JULY 16, 1997 - WEDNESDAY
   we ate breakfast, then took SUNSHINE to a SPORTS INJURY CLINIC. they could not fit her in, so she made an appointment for the next day. we headed back to the motel. after a discussion, everyone but SUNSHINE headed for FLATBROOKVILLE ROAD. FRODO and BOY WONDER were at the road crossing, and hiked out with TIMMY and i...
   the day was HOT and HUMID. this has been the rule for many days. the sun is relentless, and the humidity pulls the sweat from your body. the PENNSYLVANIA ROCKS are still with us, even though we are in JERSEY! the terrain is relatively flat, this being the only saving grace about the hiking. i sure do prefer this to a cold, snowy, icy day, though...
   GILAMAN, PANTHER FAN, and PETER PAN were all waiting at CULVERS GAP (US 206). i hiked the entire day with FRODO and BOY WONDER, and we arrived just a few minutes before TIMMY. we all headed back to the motel, stopping at the HOSTEL in DELAWARE WATER GAP to drop off FRODO and BOY WONDER. we made plans to transport them back to the trail with us in the morning...
   SUNSHINE had been alone all day at the motel. being off of the trail is tough for her...

JULY 17, 1997 - THURSDAY
   PETER PAN and PANTHER FAN stayed with SUNSHINE at the motel. these three are to stay together and meet up with the rest of us later in the day. TIMMY, GILAMAN and i headed out and picked up BOY WONDER and FRODO, then into JERSEY for breakfast. we then headed for CULVERS GAP (US 206) where TIMMY, BOY WONDER and FRODO began their hikes. i stayed with the van...
   GILAMAN and i headed for the HIGH POINT STATE PARK and secured a camp site. we then drove to DECKERTOWN TURNPIKE to await TIMMYs arrival. as we waited, the humidity increased dramatically. there is a water pump in the parking lot at DECKERTOWN TURNPIKE. when TIMMY arrived, she sat underneath the pump as GILAMAN cranked the handle. everyone got enjoyment from the experience. BOY WONDER and FRODO also arrived before we left. we invited them to stay the night with us at the campsite...
   all people and vehicles met at the HIGH POINT STATE PARK WELCOME CENTER on NJ 23. SUNSHINE told us that she needed to go to the HOSPITAL in EAST STROUDSBURG for further tests on FRIDAY. we headed off to the campsite, ate supper, and settled in for the night...

JULY 18, 1997 - FRIDAY
   after breakfast, PETER PAN and GILAMAN took TIMMY, FRODO and BOY WONDER to the HIGH POINT STATE PARK WELCOME CENTER (NJ 23) to begin their hikes. PANTHER FAN, SUNSHINE and i headed for EAST STROUDSBURG PA so that SUNSHINE could have her tests at the hospital. this took most of the day...
   our plans were to spend the night at the home of one of SUNSHINEs MOTHERs friends, near VERNON NJ. we arrived around 4:30 pm. there was a note on the back door indicating that they would be home by 5:30, and we were to make ourselves at home on the patio. PETER PAN, GILAMAN and TIMMY arrived shortly after us. TIMMY had hiked to LIBERTY CORNERS ROAD. we set about pitching our tents...
   after our hosts arrived, and a few showers taken, they prepared us a grand feast. this had not been expected! we ate, then said goodnight (we generally hit the sack when the sun goes down). i felt bad that we ate and ran, so to speak. hopefully they understood...

JULY 19, 1997 - SATURDAY
   we saddled up and left SUNSHINEs MOTHERs friends home very early, and found a restaurant for breakfast. SUNSHINE and TIMMY headed for their hiking start point, LIBERTY CORNERS ROAD, with PETER PAN and GILAMAN. TIMMY hiked north, and SUNSHINE hiked south. it was SUNSHINEs first day back after three days, so PETER PAN and GILAMAN were going to follow her during her hike to make sure she was okay...
   PANTHER FAN and i did some laundry, and scouted out overnight accommodations a few days ahead. we picked up TIMMY, at the end of her hike, at WARWICK TURNPIKE, near WAWAYANDA STATE PARK. PETER PAN, GILAMAN and SUNSHINE met us there. SUNSHINE had hiked to the HIGH POINT STATE PARK WELCOME CENTER (NJ 23). she had had a successful hike...
   we secured a motel room and ate supper...

JULY 20, 1997 - SUNDAY
since we have two vehicles for two more days, and since TIMMY and SUNSHINE are doing separate hikes, we decided to completely separate for two days. PETER PAN will slackpack TIMMY, and SUNSHINE will enjoy the company of the rest of us. TIMMYs hike will be from WARWICK TURNPIKE to WEST MOMBASHA ROAD. we drove SUNSHINE to MILLBROOK-BLAIRSTOWN ROAD to begin her hike...
after eating breakfast and running a few errands, GILAMAN, PANTHER FAN, and i waited for SUNSHINE at her destination, CULVERS GAP (US 206). after she arrived, we secured a campsite at LAKE OCQUITTUNK in the STOKES NATIONAL FOREST...

JULY 21, 1997 - MONDAY
   TIMMY would be hiking today from WEST MOMBASHA ROAD, in NEW JERSEY, to SEVEN LAKES DRIVE, in HARRIMAN STATE PARK NY...
   up, ate, broke camp, got SUNSHINE to CULVERS GAP. i hiked out with her today. the temps and humidity were low, and were to remain that way all day. this is refreshing after such humidity...
   SUNSHINE is hiking very slowly these days. she does not want a return of the groin pull. we took a few extended breaks, one at the CULVER FIRE TOWER, one at the PAVILION on SUNRISE MOUNTAIN, and one at MASHIPACONG shelter. the guys were waiting for us at DECKERTOWN TURNPIKE. this was the end of my hike, and SUNSHINE continued on...
   we guys ate lunch, then headed for SUNSHINEs destination, the HIGH POINT STATE PARK WELCOME CENTER (NJ 23). after she arrived, we headed for TIMMYs FATHERs friends home, near PEEKSKILL NY. he and his wife were gracious enough to invite us to take showers and tent in their yard. after arriving, we also found out that they were going to feed us! we had a wonderful supper, then said goodnight...

JULY 22, 1997 - TUESDAY
   PETER PAN and TIMMY left to go eat. TIMMY would be hiking today in NEW YORK, from SEVEN LAKES DRIVE, in HARRIMAN STATE PARK, to the GRAYMOOR MONASTERY on OLD WEST POINT ROAD...
   the rest of us drove into NEW JERSEY to LIBERTY CORNERS ROAD, for SUNSHINE to begin her hike. GILAMAN, PANTHER FAN, and i then found a restaurant and ate breakfast. the restaurants in NEW JERSEY, generally, are expensive and give bad service. it seems to be the way things are up here!!!
   we guys did some shopping, and filled up the gas tank, then headed for CANAL ROAD, an intermediate stop along SUNSHINEs hike. NTO, an older lady hiking alone, was there when we arrived. she had been slackpacking with a few other women, but this recently dissolved, and she is again backpacking. she had previously met TIMMY and SUNSHINE, and knew something of our expedition. i spoke to her about joining us, and she took information on how to contact us...
   SUNSHINE arrived, and i got ready to hike. off we went together. the day was borderline humid, and the temps were bearable. the climb up WAWAYANDA MOUNTAIN was wonderful. it was all rocks, but they had been arranged into stairs. this must have been a tremendous volunteer effort! congratulations...
   the guys were waiting for us at WARWICK TURNPIKE, along with NTO. we all saddled up and took off. we dropped NTO down the road at a B&B, and headed for the GRAYMOOR MONASTERY to get TIMMY. she hadn't arrived by the time we got there. a short time later she arrived, and we headed for FAHNESTOCK STATE PARK to secure a campsite. this is a nice place to camp....

JULY 23, 1997 - WEDNESDAY
   after breakfast, we dropped TIMMY off at the GRAYMOOR MONASTERY. she intends on hiking to LONG HILL ROAD. the rest of us headed for WARWICK TURNPIKE, for SUNSHINE to begin her hike. i stayed with the van...
   we guys ate breakfast and did some shopping, then headed for NY17A, which was an intermediate stop on SUNSHINEs hike. NTO hiked by while we were there. SUNSHINE arrived, and i hiked out with her...
   we ran into NTO on up the trail, and she said that she would like to join the SLACKPACK. we were thrilled. NTO is a 64 year old lady from MAINE, has a big-time accent, and a wonderful sense of humor. i don't yet know the whole story, but she had been slacking with two other ladies by the name of SEDONA and SAFARI...
   i waited at WEST MOMBASHA ROAD with NTOs backpack, while she and SUNSHINE continued on to EAST MOMBASHA ROAD where the van was waiting. they all drove back to get me, then we all headed for LONG HILL ROAD to retrieve TIMMY. she had waited for us for a long time. in the NY/NJ area, it has been difficult logistically supporting two separate hikes. SUNSHINEs intention is to hike long mileage days, in an effort to close the gap with TIMMY. NTO will be hiking with SUNSHINE. it may take another three or four weeks to get everyone on the same hike...
   we headed for FAHNESTOCK STATE PARK, ate supper, and hit the sack...

JULY 24, 1997 - THURSDAY
   it rained through the night, letting up in time to wake up, break camp, and eat breakfast. we saddled up and dropped TIMMY at the start of her hike, LONG HILL ROAD, then headed to EAST MOMBASHA ROAD to drop off SUNSHINE and NTO. PANTHER FAN, GILAMAN, and i found a restaurant, and had some breakfast...
   we located a LAUNDROMAT, and dried all of the wet tents, then did some shopping at a GROCERY STORE, then headed for TIMMYs destination, OLD ROUTE 55. the rain continued throughout the day, the temperature was relatively low, and TIMMY was soaked and cold when she arrived. we cranked up the heater as we left to get the other ladies...
   we secured a campsite at the BEAVER POND campground in HARRIMAN STATE PARK, then headed to get SUNSHINE and NTO at SEVEN LAKES DRIVE. they arrived wet and cold. we headed for the campground, set up camp, and took hot showers. the rains never stopped, but slowed to a drizzle just when we needed it...
   we got back in the van and headed for the BEAR MOUNTAIN INN to get some supper. this looked to be a bit more expensive than we were used to, so we headed into FT. MONTGOMERY. all of the restaurants seemed to have a BAR, PUB, or TAVERN attached. this means cigarette smoke. we sent PANTHER FAN on the prowl for an acceptable establishment, and he came up with a good one. i wish i could remember the name. the food was excellent...

JULY 25, 1997 - FRIDAY
   it rained all night long, then again let up in the morning. we ate, then rolled, dropping SUNSHINE and NTO at SEVEN LAKES DRIVE, then TIMMY at OLD ROUTE 55. the guys and i headed for WINGDALE NY for breakfast at a dive of a diner that i remembered from last years hike. it was exactly as i remembered...
   we headed for PAWLING NY to do laundry. we had been trying to determine our course of action concerning overnight accommodations for the next few days. SUNSHINE had been hankering for a motel, and i wished to please her, plus i was interested in a motel for SUNDAY (dare i say "preseason football"). i left the guys in PAWLING, took the van, and started my quest for a reasonably priced motel for three nights. i finally found the ROYAL INN in HOPEWELL JUNCTION NY, near I-84 and the TACONIC STATE PARKWAY...
   back to PAWLING, pick up the guys, then onto CT55 to pick up TIMMY. that accomplished, we headed for DENNYTOWN ROAD. SUNSHINE and NTO were there when we arrived. off we all went to the ROYAL INN and showers, then to the BISTRO next door for supper. this place is real high on itself. unreadable menu, inflated prices, etc...

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