New York!

grasshopper with dew

Hey everybody!  We are in New York City!  How's that for a bit of a change from the trail!  Since last posting on here we managed to cruise through Pennsylvania. Boy, is that state a rock pile from hell.  I don't know what the last ice age did, or how the glaciers managed to make such a mess of the stones, but the mountains there are stacked, jagged chunks of disarray.  The weather was hot.  There were a couple of choice places we did camp.  On the evening when we ran into our first rattlesnake, we camped only about a hundred yards downhill from the serpent, where a lovely spring bubbled up out of the ground with enough water that it was the genesis of a decent stream.  It had a perfect deep spot to submerge in and rinse off the ever-present sweaty, sticky feel.  Camp spots like that are a joy to come upon in the evening!

We wanted to cruise through PA as quickly as possible.  There aren't many huge changes in elevation.  It was an opportunity to make some miles.  We did, however, stop and experience some of the "must-dos".  We had a burger at The Doyle Hotel in Duncannon.  It is a run down 100 yr. old historic hotel.  We didn't stay there as we had heard that the accommodations were less than luxurious, but the burgers were delicious!  We showered at the 501 shelter.  This shelter in the woods was more of a deluxe hiker rendezvous spot with a solar heated shower (which wasn't too hot, but the weather was, so it was cool), a big enclosed cabin with giant skylight dome and the ability to order pizza and have it delivered just down the trail where it crosses the highway.  The next stop we couldn't miss was Port Clinton.  This little town has built a lovely, large pavilion for hikers.  It is situated at the end of town, just across from the river.  We dipped in the water immediately upon arrival.  The next morning we hitched the 2 miles down to Hamburg.  We got picked up by a Semi!  He dropped us off to tour the largest Cabela's in the country.  It was wall to wall death.  Animals died all over the world to adorn this outdoor enthusiasts consumer dream store.  The aquarium was impressive too.  Some things are not to be missed.

We made it to the Delaware Water Gap and crossed into New Jersey.  The trail seemed to change noticeably as soon as we were out of Pennsylvania.  The previously scattered and  jagged "trail teeth" gave way to smoother, glacially groomed stone trail.  We liked New Jersey.  We had heard that the bears were bad in Jersey.   They didn't seem that "bad" to us as they went away when we yelled at them to do so.  It isn't fair to say bad things about curious bears when cooking with Sardines.  

New Jersey isn't a very long state.  We passed through in just a few days.  We were excited to get into New York as we had plans to meet up with my friends Joel and Dave and go into the city for some serious culture shock.  A shock it is, and continues to be.  What is most shocking is how much food Butch and I seem to be able to consume, not to mention the selection from which we can pick in the city.  We have been soaking up culture through our eyes, ears and stomachs while trying not to touch anything.  We can eat food off the ground in the forest but the city feels dirty.  I'm ready to go camping again.  We are about to pack it back up, stuff it all in the bags and head for the woods.  First, I want to get one more good cup of coffee...and maybe a slice!

some of the "trail" in PA

Rattler #1

Rattler #2

Copperheads are lovely!

crowded log