Hike #9: 8/15 to 8/16/98
Tara and I in Dunnfield Creek
8/15-8/16/98
My first try at leading an overnight camping trip. I had originally had a large group signed
on for this, but all cancelled out at last minute. Matt DeFranza was still generous enough
to lend me his large tent.
With me this time was Tara Hardman, one of my closest friends ever, someone I found I
could have deep meaningful conversation with. Though we were so close, we were never
romantically involved and remain good friends to this day. We met while performing in
Drama Club at Warren Hills on the set of “The Miracle Worker” (Tara went on to marry
Mike Delgado, who was on my hike on 2/28/98)
My grandfather once again dropped us off, this time on Mohican Camp Road on the
Kittatinny Ridge. My plan was to hike the Appalachian Trail to the Delaware Water Gap,
then head south through Portland and on to Washington.
Rattlesnake on Mt. Mohican
View toward the Upper Yards Creek Access Road from Mt Mohican
Mt Mohican
We followed the AT southbound over Raccoon Ridge to Mt Mohican with fantastic
views. At Mt Mohican we saw a Bald Eagle and a Rattlesnake.We continued on to
Sunfish Pond, a huge glacial lake on the ridge, and took a swim. I was at the time still
nervous about swimming, but Tara helped get me over it; she would swim out far, and
feeling the need to protect her I would follow. I credit her with helping relieve my fear of
swimming, and I can now swim across Sunfish Pond and back.
Sunfish Pond
Snake along Sunfish Pond
Snake along Sunfish Pond
Having gotten her feet wet, Tara was already having foot trouble. Consequently, she did
not wear, or even bring socks!
Plaque along the south end of Sunfish Pond
Backpacking the AT, Worthington State Forest
Making our way south on the AT, we turned onto Holly Springs Trail, which passes a
beautiful spring, and filled our water. We then made our way to Dunnfield Creek Trail and
took a swim above Dunnfield Falls.
Underwater pic of Tara, Dunnfield Creek
Underwater pic, Dunnfield Creek
Dunnfield Creek Trail, Worthington
We made our way back to the AT, then crossed into PA, stopping at a restaurant for
dinner. I recall we tried to buy some wine, but I was’nt “cool” enough about it, so we
were of course not served. I was only 18, and Tara was 16.
Dinner in Delaware Water Gap PA
Dinner in Delaware Water Gap PA
Dinner in Delaware Water Gap PA
After playing a game of pool,
Playing pool in Delaware Water Gap PA
we moved on into the town of Delaware Water Gap, and made several wrong turns on
streets trying to find our way back to the AT.
It was dark by the time we found a site, not a legal one, in a nice flat spot along Caldeno
Creek below Lake Lenape and above Resort Point where once stood the Kittatinny
House, a massive hotel. I quickly set up the tent, which was easy anyway, and climbed a
tree to put our food on a branch to keep it away from Bears. When I’d returned to the tent
I recall cursing out Matty D (Matt DeFranza) because there was granola left in the tent
from a previous use. I got rid of it as best I could.
When I woke up in the morning, Tara was missing, and I freaked out. She had only gone
to a nearby knoll and was brushing her teeth, to my relief.
Antique store stop in Delaware Water Gap PA
After packing up, we made our way back into town. for some food. We also visited an
antique store and sorted through interesting stuff before moving on.
Antique store in the Water Gap
We made our way
down to the former Lackawanna Railroad, still active here, next to the Rt 80 bridge,
passing Caldeno Falls, on the same creek we had camped along.
Lower Caldeno Falls, almost dry, Del Water Gap
We stopped to swim
several times in the Delaware to soothe Tara’s raw feet. By the time we reached Portland,
she could not go on. We swam once more under the footbridge, resting on the concrete
base around the pier, then made our way up and over into Colombia NJ. We walked up
the street to the Colombia McDonalds, then called my Uncle George, who lived nearby in
Delaware NJ, to pick us up. My mom came and picked us up from there.
While very disorganized and spur-of-the-moment when it came to route decisions, we still
had a good time.
No comments:
Post a Comment