Mission Out of a Backpack: Day 91-96

6/29 Day 91

Delaware water gap, PA-Stealth

Total miles: 7

As a child I often wondered what it would be like to travel all the way around the world in a perfect circle and end up where I had began my journey. I also pondered if I could even find my way back to where I had began. I feel like I'm living out that scenario. Every step we take further north on this trail takes me geographically further from my home, but closer to it at the same time. Today was our last day with my grandparents. It's been a great week of rest and relaxation, but the time has come to begin the end of our journey. We've got 896 miles to go. It may sound like a lot from your end, but to us the end seems to almost be grasped by our finger tips.

We made it back to the trail around 2:30, and promptly got back to hiking. After all we had taken an extra day off as it was. Our trek today started with a road walk across the Delaware river and through some state park facility's. When we got to the trail it might as well have been a highway. It was 10ft wide, mostly free of rocks, and full of weekend hikers. As has been the case in the past we knew this would only last until the first hard uphill, which was a correct assumption. I would say the toughest aspect of today was the re-entry to discomfort. In our first world, comfort/consumption driven society any, and I mean any, discomfort is abhorred. The very idea of discomfort has driven mankind to some of the most marvelous innovations the world has ever seen. Such as automobiles with internal combustion engines, air-condition, electricity, hot water heaters, golf carts, and body-wash. We had let our mental grit of being comfortable with discomfort slip over the last few days, and our short 7-mile hike was a big deal. As I sit here in my tent and listen to a swarm of Mosquitos attempting to dive bomb my blood rich skin, I'm thankful yet again, for the simple things. Life goes easy.

6/30 Day 92

PA stealth camp-Gren Anderson shelter

Total miles: 23

It was late in the day when we crossed a road and began our last 3-miles. Halfway up a steep NJ hill I passed a family who asked me how I was doing. "Only a few more miles" I replied. I'd been telling myself that all day. As I topped the hill Dawn was already waiting for me and we were both greeted by the simultaneous rush of excitement that we had climbed our last hill of the day, and a beautiful sunset. She said "isn't it pretty?" To which I replied as I always do "Dawns are always prettier."

We did also have our most intense bear encounter to date. Dawn was hiking about 5-yards ahead of me. All of the sudden she turned around and had an alarmed look on her face as she started briskly walking back to me. She jump behind me and said "there's a bear up there." It was flattering to witness her response to trouble, if nothing else she knew that because of my sprained ankle and constant gimp these days she would be the faster runner. The bear was by far the largest black bear I've ever seen, larger than a zoo bear. It looked up, saw me, and kept walking my direction. I had a mental image of Tom Cruise in his movie The Last Samurai as he charges forward valiantly sword and spear in hand only to be shot down by a Gatling gun, which in my case would of been bear claws. Instead I took the advice of our thru hikers companion and swung my arms around in a broad fashion and yelled at it. The bear looked at me dumbly almost to say "what is he doing," and then turned to walk into the forest. All that happened in about 10 seconds, but the adrenaline rush felt like an hour of action. Dawn thanked me for being her protector and I skipped along until the adrenaline wore off and went back to limping.

It's been a day that we knew would come. Getting back on the trail after so many days off has proven to be difficult, but not impossible. During our time off we were able to heal some sore joints and spend some much needed time with family. We did for the first time see Mrs. Janet. She is a serial trail angel that drives a van with a painted on AT logo up and down the entire trail helping hikers any way she can. I've even heard rumor that her daughter does the same thing in a separate van from time to time. One last observation, NJ mosquitoes don't play around. They bite through shirts, socks, and a select few of what I think are trained special forces ignore all forms of bug repellant. Thank God for our tent, it's our only tenable place to escape them. Life goes easy.

7/1: Day 93

Gren Anderson-Murray Cabin

Total miles: 18

Since starting this journey we've listened to more podcast than I imagined possible. Mostly because they are free. I've been able to download and learn from two of the most knowledgable men of faith I've ever heard, Ravi Zacharias and Keith Moore. Listening to their services is almost an escape until the closing notes when I look down and am reminded that my shirt is sticking to me from my own perspiration. One of the less appealing aspects of NJ is nothing ever dries. The sweat on my shirt now is most likely the same sweat from two days ago. When I get done hiking at the end of the day I take off that shirt and put on my sleeping shirt. One shirt I sweat in while hiking, the other while sleeping. In some ways we've both come terms with this fact of thru hiking.

Twice today we've been greeted with air-conditioned facility's allowing us to cool off. We hiked through high point state park. A relatively small park but stacked with amenities. First, we went into its visitor center to escape the heat of the day. The second was a lake! They had a short order grill and a beach to relax on. Three hot dogs a slice of pizza and an order of fries later we were both happy and simi-full. Dawn and I jumped in the lake to not only enjoy the water but also bathe off some of the sweat that has built up on us. It was at this point we observed a peculiar scene amongst our fellow hikers. Including Dawn and I there were six hikers. Only three of us showered, and only Dawn and I used deodorant. Upon observing others toe nails we are also the only ones who thought it worth the weight to carry a pair of toe nail clippers. We both remarked the importance of personal hygiene and it's correlation to relative comfort on the trail. I suppose in each individual case it's mind over matter, if they don't mind it doesn't matter.

Towards the end of our day we saw our third bear. We've seen one every day in NJ. Our destination proved to be worth the walk. The Tim Murray Cabin is a privately owned cabin made available to hikers. He also gives access to electricity and well water. Running water is something to be treasured, especially when you have to otherwise filter all water for human consumption. It's such a blessing when people give out of the kindness of their heart. Just as I was falling asleep I heard a gang of raccoons screeching and yelling. I've always been more concerned with raccoons than bears. Mainly because I've dealt with both and raccoons have no prohibitions when it comes to personal space. They are a modern day version of Vikings, pillaging and plundering anything they can get their paws on. I told Dawn if they got any closer I'd deal with it. I also told her if she had to help that raccoons are to treated as enemy hostiles, they will receive no mercy, and a wounded raccoon is a exponentially more dangerous raccoon. Thankfully that war never happened. Life goes easy.

7/2: Day 94

Murray cabin-Alpine Haus B&B

Total miles: 6

We woke up this morning with a twinkle in our eye. The idea of not filtering water and charging our phones was more than enough to placate us after our ultra humid nights sleep. Around 8:45 we departed for our destination which was 18-miles away. It's been very hot and humid the last couple days and today was no exception. I learned in a video from the weather channel that hurricanes feed on heat and moisture in the air. When hurricane Arthur reaches NJ I predict it will become a super-storm. The first stop for today was unionville, NY. We stopped in their general store and each got a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. When I eat a pint of ice cream I always throw away the lid, because I'm not a quiter. After that we finished with a three day resupply and hiked out of town. That was when today got interesting. We hiked through some sun exposed fields, then a road, then a swamp. All in the sun. It's so much different hiking in direct sunlight as opposed to tree cover. Thankfully the NJ forestry department provides access to a spring fed water spigot that was shaded just before an intense hill climb. After that my ankle became unbearably painful. It went from a dull consistent ache to a sharp, limping every step, pain. I looked down at my aching ankle and thought "why am I doing this to myself." Today has been the toughest day on my ankle yet. We reached a road crossing and Dawn noticed the wincing on my face. She talked me into letting her call a taxi for us and rest for the remainder of the day. That was a great decision. We ended up at a wonderful B&B. It was the most money we've paid this far for lodging but well worth it. The owners treated us with such care and kindness. We were given access to their washer and dryer. I don't know what kind of detergent they use but my clothes no longer smelled, it was amazing! We spent the rest of the afternoon sipping coffee and watching tv. Not to mention taking a scorching hot shower. Tomorrow the owners have agreed to take us back to the trail and stop by a rite-aid for me to pick up an ankle brace. I'm sure with the prayers of many people, the grace of God, and a couple days of shorter miles my ankle will heal nicely and we will continue on with our journey. Life goes easy.

7/3: Day 95

Alpine Haus B&B-Greenwood, NY vista trail

Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up everything is going right and by the time you go to sleep the world has spun around backwards? Today was one of those days. At 8:00am we made our way downstairs to get breakfast. Our host cooked us some fully loaded omelets, brought juice, fresh fruit, coffee, and muffins. It was an amazing breakfast! Around 10:00am she gave us a ride back to the trail and I picked up an ankle brace on the way. Immediately we were greeted by a group of teachers putting on a very impressive trail magic. We sat and talked with them for an hour and then began our hike. Our plan wasn't very aggressive since we wanted to let my ankle heal. The brace functioned remarkably well and walking was far more pleasant today. Around 3:00pm the sky started clouding over and we could hear the rumble of thunder getting closer and closer. The sky started spitting mist and then opened up. The terrain the AT was routed across made for slippery conditions. At one point we had to climb a ladder, made more dangerous by the wet conditions. Dawn and I both slipped and fell multiple times. That storm passed after a half hour and we were greeted by comfortable temps.

Then our happy-go-lucky day started to unravel into a tapestry of disaster. Another storm started blowing in, and by the sound of the thunder it was much more fierce than the last. Most of the trail at this point was traversing rocks already made slippery by the previous rain storm, and it was on an exposed ridge line. At some point just after it started raining I slipped. I yelled out Dawns name but she couldn't hear me. The wind and rain were to much white noise for me to over come. She turned around and noticed me on the ground as I was starting to get up. We then heard our worst fear. A town close by was blaring its tornado sirens and the wind and rain whipping up the earth around us corroborated that something was about to happen. We both agreed to seek cover and descend the ridge-line. We made it to a rock to hunker down beside for cover. As rain ran down our faces in river like fashion we both held each other for warmth and comfort. I prayed for our protection and our prayers where answered. The storm passed and we were able to safely start hiking again. I knew more rain was coming so we took a side trail to the town and started searching for a room. Being July 3 no rooms were to be found. It was a miserable situation. Not only was it about 9:30pm but more rain was moving in and we were going to have to hike back out of the town and set up our tent in the rain. I've never really wanted to quit and go home on this trip until that moment. It reminded me of a family vacation my family and I took to yellowstone. One family member lost the key to the rental car on top of a mountain we were then stranded and completely helpless. I came to the conclusion that life my sometimes seem helpless, but with Jesus Christ it's never hopeless. The rains let up and we got our tent setup just in time before another down pour started. God is good all the time James 1:17.

7/4: Day 96

Greenwood NY vista trail-Wildcat Shelter

Total miles: 5

After last nights lodging debacle we weren't exactly bursting at the seems to get moving this morning. Once I finally got out of the tent at 10:00am to answer natures call I noticed our tenting position was being observed by two black bears. One was a good distance away, the other had gotten more curious. He was only about 25- yards from me. He literally looked at me and licked his fat lips as he meandered towards our tent. A few loud yells and a thrown stick later and he was gone. Around 10:30am we finally got all our gear together and ready to move, just in time to sit down and enjoy my morning cup of coffee.

As we made it back to the trail everything was wet, all our clothes from the previous day, and shoes. We crossed a road and were pleasantly surprise by the nice trail we had to walk. It was Pretty level and few rocks. After 4 miles the sky started to threaten another rain storm so we booked it to the closest shelter, but not before we picked and ate some wild blueberry we found. One hour turned into three hours of solid rain, at which we point we called it a day and decided to stay. When that rain storm broke the wind started to blow and 45-mins later we had blue sky's. Albeit only a couple hours before dark. I set up our tent to let the breeze dry it out as best it could. By 7:30 we were laying in our sleeping bags enjoying the new high-pressure "cool" front that had blown in. My what a difference a couple of hours can make when it comes to weather. Tonight will be such a good nights rest. Life goes easy.