Day 92 July 7 to campsite past Buchanan Mtn

Today would prove to be one of the most difficult days since the Smokies. There were many rocks and lots of difficult ups and downs.

One even required a letter to get up.

Today I crossed in from New Jersey into New York.

This big guy greeted me after a bend in the trail. 

I had hoped to go 23 miles. But the terrain that heat made that I'm possible. It was starting to get dark and I found a really nice camping spot.  So I camped a little bit past Buchanan mountain.

Distance: 19.2. Miles

Total distance :  1376.1 miles

Day 91 July 6 to Wawayanda Shelter

After leaving Jim Murray's shelter area where I camped ( thank you Jim), I continued back to the trail and immediately joined a long boardwalk.

 

After crossing the boardwalk I ran into a whole clutch of wild turkeys. Sorry no picture.

After a couple of hours walking I came to Unionville. Decided to have second breakfast. Went to Horcher's general store

I passed  some really beautiful lakes today. 

Boardwalks for the order of the day.  There were several miles of them 

 I arrived at Wawayanda shelter to hear that a big bear had just been there.  I camped there all the same. I put my food in the big steel bear  box.

Distance 18.5

Total distance. 1357.9

Miles remaining: 827.4

Day 90 July 5 to Jim Murray Shelter

Jerry Hoffmann took me to Culver gap. Thought about trying to get a new tip on my left pole since it's kind of bent. But there was no outfitter close so I just decided to set out. Just after setting out I saw a bear right in front of  me and the trail.  

It was a beautiful day. Temperature started out in the 50s.

Terrain is more rocky in New Jersey than I expected.  Soon I came to the top of the ridge and found this pavilion. 

Not long afterward I arrived at Mashipacong shelter and Trail magic from Tapeworm (thru hiker from '96)

I passed through Highpoint State Park and saw the monument. 

The trail is beautiful and varied along this part of the trail. 

There are  many stone fences throughout this area.

I arrived at the Jim Murray shelter at 8 o'clock. The Shelter was built by an old thru- Hiker. He makes it as well as a shower and privy.

Distance:  21.5 miles

Total distance. 1339.4

Day 89 July 4 to Culver gap

It rained all night.  And I knew Hurricane Arhur was coming up the coast. I wondered if I should weather it to town. My brother-in-law Mark Hoffmann's brother had offered to pick me up and spend the day with me.  So I contacted them and asked them to pick me up at Culver gap.  

So I put on my clothes still wet from last night. I broke  camp and started out.  It wasn't raining when I started so I dried off a bit. But then it rained and I got soaked again.   Stopped for lunch at Brinks shelter and dried  out. 

While at the shelter it's cleared off and the sun came out. I continued on with the 3 miles to Culver Gap.  Jerry and Julie Hoffmann picked me up.   They took me to their place where she washed and dried my clothes and boots. I spent a nice Fourth of July with them and other family.  Julie prepared a great supper.   I saw fireworks and had a great time.  Thanks Jerry and Julie. 

Distance. 11.9 miles

Total distance. 1318.0

Day 88 July 3 to Buttermilk campsite.

It's been a wonderful day with Becky yesterday on my zero day in the Delaware water gap. We had a really nice time and some nice meals.

She took me back to this morning at the Lenape  lake campsite. We said goodbye.  She'll go to Newark today and fly to South Carolina to see her sister and other family  for the 4th of July. ( but because of Hurricane Arthur; she  wouldn't arrive for two days. )

I crossed the Delaware River and quickly climbed up the ridge past Sunfish Lake.

Got some beautiful views of the Delaware River Valley.

It must've been like this during the time when the  Delaware tribes lived here. that. I can see why they were so happy here. Beautiful mountains, the lakes the river, and  great hunting.

But the westher deteriorated as a front came in and developed into thunderstorms.  I had originally wanted to go 20 miles but as I was on the top of a ridge and lighting was striking close, I pitched my tent and got on top of my air mattress. 

But at least i passed the 1300 mile mark 

Distance. 16.6

Total distance. 1306.1

Day 87 July 2 zero day in Delaware water gap.

Becky and I spent a great day in Delaware Water Gap.  We did my usual preparations. We had a really nice reunion after three months.

Day 86 July 1 to Delaware water gap.

After a very early morning rise I started out at 6 o'clock because I wanted to get to Delaware water gap by 6:30 PM since I was meeting Becky.

Windgap was only 4 miles away so I decided to have a second breakfast and pick up 3 L of water since I knew there would be no water sources until the Delaware water gap. 

After  Windgap again had some of the most difficult climbing is scrambling that I encountered.

Total distance 1289.6 miles