Day 10, 7 MAY, The Journey before The Journey

As the portions of the AT that I have not hiked push further and further away from Salem, the challenge of transportation to the trailhead becomes more difficult.  Hiking southbound provides the advantage of a shorter drive home at the tail end of the trip.  Therefore, the specific challenge for the two week hike across PA was to find a ride to the Delaware Water Gap at the NJ-PA line.
     Enter Duff Rearick and Graham Fenton.  Duff is the father of one of my best friends in Salem and colleague at Roanoke, Matt Rearick.  Graham is a good friend (and student) at Roanoke who lives in PA.  They are the real reason that I was even able to make the hike.  I drove up to the Rearick's home early in the AM from SAL, where Graham met me.  Then Graham and I were able to spend some quality time driving across the state.  One of the highlights for Graham and I was visiting a super-cooled cave that was used by Native Americans for refrigeration. (YES, it was THAT cold.)

     If you've never been to the Delaware Water Gap (and I hadn't), it is ominous.  The sheer enormity and hardness of a sheet of rock that has not submitted to the rolling and seemingly eternal waters of the Delaware.  It was certainly one of the highlights of the trip, and I had barely walked a mile.  In climbing those initial miles view a continual view of the Gap, I almost tripped several times.  It is one of those natural wonders that commands attention; the Delaware Water Gap is mesmerizing.  If you are ever driving I-80 at the NJ-PA line, you should definitely take the exit and the few minutes to stop and stare.  What a great way to start an adventure.  I made it to the Kitredge shelter in plenty of time to enjoy dinner and the sunset.